Report by Clinton Hardenberg
The four Overlanders pulled into Storms river mouth just 30 or so minutes before the start of the first ever marathon on the most iconic and legendary coastline trail of the country. Knowing the privilege of
what we were about to embark on.. you could just sense the awe and anticipation in the crowd. We took some pics and then in batches of four runners were started in 20 second intervals.. and just like that
we began.. a short 200m bit of road before we got onto the trail and your mind gets blown by the absolute beauty. Huge waves pounding the rocks to your left would become your companion for the day and single
track through lush green trees just part of the magical diet, feeding your soul.
I started off at an easy pace, not sure how to really pace the day.. especially since not having run much.. then we hit some technical rocky bits and that was just what I needed.. takes your mind off everything else and gets you to focus on the now... I love technical bits like these and as I danced, skipped and leaped from one rock to
another I noticed that a lot of other folk were taking it a lot easier on the rocks. I say howzit to Doc (Eugene) who was wiggling between rocks with his hiking poles. He said the poles really helped him a lot especially on the steep hill climbs.
Darting through the most amazing footpaths I was amazed to see the first hiking hut in 40mins and the trail seemed to just fly past with such beauty all around that your mind never really got to think about getting tired. There was only a few parts were I caught up to groups and passed people but for the rest, I was often alone on the trail. My mind in a zone of absolute appreciation, awe and enjoyment. I was listening carefully to my body on when to ease up or open up the pace.
Some of the climbs were really steep and there was often no choice for me but to hike them out. I arrived at hiking hut 2 just behind Tatum of McCains fame. I knew this was odd as she is normally way ahead of folks like me.. but it apparently she was nursing a previous injury which would later cause her to withdraw from the event. There were some stunning river crossings and eventually I waded across the rocky Lottering river and got to the Munchie GU point and while sitting there munching on an awesome muffin, I saw MTB endurance legend Hanlie Booyens arrive and then just zoot on.. hmm .. then I knew I had probably gone too hard the first bit.. and would pay for it
later.. it was still gonna be a long day.. and along that long 14km slog towards the infamous Bloukrans river crossing I had to pass through a tough mental storm... first my dodgey ankle started complaining... then my ITB tendons on both knees were feeling very tendor... so much for that only increase you running mileage by 10% a
week.. For the next hour, things were pretty tough, however as we have all learned from adventure racing.. everyone goes through a tough stage on a race.. just hang in there and keep moving..(this is the part where
you stop listening to your body) and eventually you pass through the storm and feel good again. And just in time to descend into the Bloukrans valley for the river crossing. I did not hesitate and dove
into the water. The Swim was rejuvenating and there was this happy feeling that the worst was over and that it gets easier from here. I noticed Jan Heenop (Eden Challenge) on the run and thought its great
to see other AR organisers participating in events. Saw some of the D4 production camera folks popping out of the most remote spots.. man I can't wait to see the film production. It is going so be so amazing.
After the steep climb up from last hiking hut I stopped to munch some crisps and thought that now it would get easier as the trail flattens out a bit. Almost home.. but the fuel light had been on for some time and I battled more on the flats than on the rest of the trail. One of the chaps laughed and said all that and we will probably walk the last 5km.. he also got my mind off things by pointing out a whale veryclose by. You look down these amazing 100m cliffs dropping right into the ocean and there is this huge whale, so close that you can hear his blowing... jaw dropper .. wow moment. That was part of the thing about the trail, no matter how tired you get, there is always mind blowing beauty around you to keep your spirit soaring.
After some shuffling and walking I get passed by loads of runners but atlast we drop down onto the stunning beach at natures valley.. I check my running time.. 6hrs46.. I can still make it under 7 hours.. a marshall directs us for another 2,5km down a jeep track on the east side of the huge lagoon and then the trail drops off into the water..
what now? I say as I wade waste deep.. run across the pontoon.. they say.. the pontoon is made of wooden pallets that barely float.. which I discovered as I stood on one and sank right down to my waste again... “You got to run fast to make it across!” they yelled... you wanna WHAAAT? .. so with the end insight and a cheering crowd I give
it one last blast and make it to the island... then the second section of the pontoon was just too long for me so I took a swim next to it... crawled out the lagoon and dibbed in at 6:59:56... totally thrilled and trashed....that is got to be the best knackered feeling I have ever felt.
After downing loads of GU juice I zoot off to the feed zone and tried my best to replace calories. After about 3 huge boeries later I was almost feeling human again... my soul has been branded with an absolute sense of contentment and awe.
At Prizegiving we were told that Ian Don-Wachupe had won the Otter Trail Run in 4:59:02 and John Collins came in 5:01:38 Wow amazing talent. Even the legendary Nick Bester who came in 5:33:04 said, of all the marathons he has run including international events, that was the toughest.
The ladies category was won by Sue Don-Wachuppe in a brilliant time of 5:58:07
what we were about to embark on.. you could just sense the awe and anticipation in the crowd. We took some pics and then in batches of four runners were started in 20 second intervals.. and just like that
we began.. a short 200m bit of road before we got onto the trail and your mind gets blown by the absolute beauty. Huge waves pounding the rocks to your left would become your companion for the day and single
track through lush green trees just part of the magical diet, feeding your soul.
I started off at an easy pace, not sure how to really pace the day.. especially since not having run much.. then we hit some technical rocky bits and that was just what I needed.. takes your mind off everything else and gets you to focus on the now... I love technical bits like these and as I danced, skipped and leaped from one rock to
another I noticed that a lot of other folk were taking it a lot easier on the rocks. I say howzit to Doc (Eugene) who was wiggling between rocks with his hiking poles. He said the poles really helped him a lot especially on the steep hill climbs.
Darting through the most amazing footpaths I was amazed to see the first hiking hut in 40mins and the trail seemed to just fly past with such beauty all around that your mind never really got to think about getting tired. There was only a few parts were I caught up to groups and passed people but for the rest, I was often alone on the trail. My mind in a zone of absolute appreciation, awe and enjoyment. I was listening carefully to my body on when to ease up or open up the pace.
Some of the climbs were really steep and there was often no choice for me but to hike them out. I arrived at hiking hut 2 just behind Tatum of McCains fame. I knew this was odd as she is normally way ahead of folks like me.. but it apparently she was nursing a previous injury which would later cause her to withdraw from the event. There were some stunning river crossings and eventually I waded across the rocky Lottering river and got to the Munchie GU point and while sitting there munching on an awesome muffin, I saw MTB endurance legend Hanlie Booyens arrive and then just zoot on.. hmm .. then I knew I had probably gone too hard the first bit.. and would pay for it
later.. it was still gonna be a long day.. and along that long 14km slog towards the infamous Bloukrans river crossing I had to pass through a tough mental storm... first my dodgey ankle started complaining... then my ITB tendons on both knees were feeling very tendor... so much for that only increase you running mileage by 10% a
week.. For the next hour, things were pretty tough, however as we have all learned from adventure racing.. everyone goes through a tough stage on a race.. just hang in there and keep moving..(this is the part where
you stop listening to your body) and eventually you pass through the storm and feel good again. And just in time to descend into the Bloukrans valley for the river crossing. I did not hesitate and dove
into the water. The Swim was rejuvenating and there was this happy feeling that the worst was over and that it gets easier from here. I noticed Jan Heenop (Eden Challenge) on the run and thought its great
to see other AR organisers participating in events. Saw some of the D4 production camera folks popping out of the most remote spots.. man I can't wait to see the film production. It is going so be so amazing.
After the steep climb up from last hiking hut I stopped to munch some crisps and thought that now it would get easier as the trail flattens out a bit. Almost home.. but the fuel light had been on for some time and I battled more on the flats than on the rest of the trail. One of the chaps laughed and said all that and we will probably walk the last 5km.. he also got my mind off things by pointing out a whale veryclose by. You look down these amazing 100m cliffs dropping right into the ocean and there is this huge whale, so close that you can hear his blowing... jaw dropper .. wow moment. That was part of the thing about the trail, no matter how tired you get, there is always mind blowing beauty around you to keep your spirit soaring.
After some shuffling and walking I get passed by loads of runners but atlast we drop down onto the stunning beach at natures valley.. I check my running time.. 6hrs46.. I can still make it under 7 hours.. a marshall directs us for another 2,5km down a jeep track on the east side of the huge lagoon and then the trail drops off into the water..
what now? I say as I wade waste deep.. run across the pontoon.. they say.. the pontoon is made of wooden pallets that barely float.. which I discovered as I stood on one and sank right down to my waste again... “You got to run fast to make it across!” they yelled... you wanna WHAAAT? .. so with the end insight and a cheering crowd I give
it one last blast and make it to the island... then the second section of the pontoon was just too long for me so I took a swim next to it... crawled out the lagoon and dibbed in at 6:59:56... totally thrilled and trashed....that is got to be the best knackered feeling I have ever felt.
After downing loads of GU juice I zoot off to the feed zone and tried my best to replace calories. After about 3 huge boeries later I was almost feeling human again... my soul has been branded with an absolute sense of contentment and awe.
At Prizegiving we were told that Ian Don-Wachupe had won the Otter Trail Run in 4:59:02 and John Collins came in 5:01:38 Wow amazing talent. Even the legendary Nick Bester who came in 5:33:04 said, of all the marathons he has run including international events, that was the toughest.
The ladies category was won by Sue Don-Wachuppe in a brilliant time of 5:58:07
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