Risky Business

The mountains are a rugged and dangerous place to be in and runners need to be confident they can look after themselves in the mountains. You will be on your own for between 15 and 20 km at a time, so that means that rescue teams either have to hike in 10 km to find you or send in a rescue chopper (which if there is mist and rain will not be an option) if something happens. It may also mean you could be sitting waiting for help for periods of over 3 hours.

There are wild animals, these range from large predators like leopard and packs of baboons to smaller things like snakes (Puffadders), bees, scorpions, spiders and ticks. If you are allergic to bee-stings and do not have your medication with you, a sting could be lethal.

There are steep slopes that are often slippery, a fall could be lethal. Furthermore there are loose stones and roots that could trip you and you could damage your ankle. If this happens you will not be able to move as fast and you will not be generating as much body heat, a warm middle layer (like a First Ascent Firestorm Fleece) will definitely make life more comfortable.

The race is run in the heart of winter, and there could be snow on the mountain (though this is a rare occurrence), it could rain the whole day (this happened in during the 2008 run). There could also be berg winds which will warm things up a bit. It is also not impossible that you can have all 4 seasons in one day so the weather will always be a factor that will influence the event. You need to be prepared for all weather situations. You need to have sufficient water to prevent dehydration, there are mountain streams but these often dry up. You also need to have the minimum kit to help prevent hypothermia.

The terrain consists of some steep climbs and descends, your legs will burn, take it easy on the climbs otherwise you might burn out with over 20 km to go! If the weather is clear you will also experience some amazing views which I would recommend you stop for at least 10 seconds to savour. If you rush past, you will loose out on the experience. The trail itself is often overgrown at places, between Cape Nature and myself we will do our best to make it runable, but expect scratchesand the odd bush-wack from time to time.

The route will contain a few checkpoints, to qualify as an official finisher, you will need to find all the checkpoints. Between checkpoints I am pretty flexible with your route choice, but for me the challenge will be to place the checkpoints in such a manner as to greatly influence your route choice. If you find yourself hanging on a cliff then you made a wrong route choice, it will probably be safer to retrace your steps and try a better alternative. Do not expect intersections to be marked, I will be going through the route and will put some spray paint markings out, but these should be used in conjunction with your map to confirm where you are. Do not rely solely on route marking.

If you are a roadie and this is your first time "off road" you might never want run on tar again!

Of the 41 people who started last year's run all 41 were still living after the event, and apart from bruised egos, a twisted ankle and bad knee going into the event there were no major injuries. A few people did get lost, but in any good mountain run this is to be expected, especially if the weather is rainy and misty and it is their first time on the mountain. You have been warned, please do not sue me if something happens to you. You will need to pay for emergency / search and rescue costs.

Why am I organising a trail run?

He who forgets the humming of the bees among the heather, the cooing of the wood–pigeons in the forest, the song of birds in the woods, the rippling of rills among the rushes, and the sighing of the wind among the pines, needs not wonder if his heart forgets to sing and his soul grows heavy. A day’s breathing of fresh air upon the hills, or a few hours’ ramble in the beech woods ‘ umbrageous calm, would sweep the cobwebs out of the brain of scores of our toiling ministers who are now but half alive. A mouthful of sea air, or a stiff walk in the wind’s face, would not give grace to the soul, but it would yield oxygen to the body, which is the next best… The ferns and the rabbits, the streams and the trouts, the fir trees and the squirrels, the primroses and the violets, the farm-yard, the new–mown hay, and the fragrant hops – these are the best medicine for hypochondriacs, the surest tonics for the declining, the best refreshments for the weary. For lack of opportunity, or inclination, these great remedies are neglected, and the student becomes a self-immolated victim.

~ CH Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students ~

Mountains of a different flavour

After spending a few days in the Drakensberg's Royal Natal National Park, I managed to put in at least one "trail run" from Mahai to Tendele. However I did not end up running that much, partly because I am a bit unfit, partly because it is very steep, partly because of altitude, but mostly because the scenery was just too good to have it flash by with your eyes scanning the trail for a potential rock or root that could do serious damage to your ankle. Either way it was a good 3o -40 minute trip from Mahai to Tendele and I managed to get this photo of the Amphitheatre.

It was great to spend some time in different mountains, these mountains have a completely different texture to the Cape Fold Mountains of the Western Cape. I never got high enough to experience the true basalt of the high berg, the round black rocks in the rivers with the white speckles are about as close as I got, but it was still good fun to enjoy the grassy slopes and I am now more convinced than ever that I need to make a plan to get to Sky Run at the end of the year.

But first up, it is the Midnight Hell Run and a delightful trip to the Swartberg!

Whatever shape or size your mountains come in, hope 2009 is injury free and that you are able to get out there and enjoy them regularly!

Good news

2008 is now almost a thing of the past, and the good news is, we have already starting cranking out plans for the OT 2009!

As soon as I get back from the December break, I will start sending out info regarding entries etc, but the entry fee will be between R100 - R150, and we are working on a long sleeve technical T also in the region of R100 - R150. So budget for a worst case scenario of R300 bucks (if you want a T-shirt), and hopefully we can give you the good news that it will only work out to R200 (if you still want the T-shirt).

Drive safely if you are going anywhere!

I am not a big fan of the materialistic spending spree over the Festive Season, but I do think it is good to stop and reflect about a Person who was born about 2000 years ago! What is more, His birth, death and resurrection were prophesied many year's before the event, and this is possibly the GREATEST NEWS ever told!!!

Isaiah 53:1-12

Who has believed what they heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
(2) For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
(3) He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
(4) Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
(5) But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
(6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
(8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
(9) And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
(10) Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
(11) Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
(12) Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

YOUR comments on the run

• Although going about 5km off course and covering about 41k in total, I've no regrets. Running in such a beautiful location makes up for getting lost. ~ Stevie
• Most of us agree it was tougher than any other trail run we’ve done. I definitely want to do it again next year. ~ Ad
• I initially thought the route markings were a bit lacking, but the orienteering was actually fun. Can't wait to do it next year ~ Marc
• To share the day with Gisele was an absolute highlight! Thankfully the inclement weather did not result in any injuries and everyone was able to enjoy a very special time in the Outeniquas! ~ Chris
• Thanx for a great race and an awesome experience – I am still sore – something that hasn’t happened to me so long after a race, in a long time! ~ Mike
  

The Mad Scientist's Take on the OT 2008

It is always good to get some feedback from fellow event organisers, The Mad Scientist has written a blog post on the event and if you would like to read about it, click on this link:
http://chaosinnature.blogspot.com/2008/11/inaugural-outenique-trail-run.html

And the winner is...?

Well for most it is not about winning, but about experiencing nature up close and stopping to admire the view or take a photo or two. There was some talk of some folks not sticking to the hiking trail that goes through Tonelbos and around the small dam, but instead taking an easier jeep track option. I wasn't there to play policeman, but those who stuck to the hiking trail got the full value for their entry fees, those who didn't were only shooting themselves in the foot. next year I will definitely tighten up this aspect of the race with a few unmanned CP's...

Name	OVERALL TIME	COMMENTS
Eddie Mouton	05:39	1st
Rinus Wessels	05:42	2nd
Nicholas Smith	06:02	Chicken Run
Mike Ohlsson	06:03	3rd (Trail)
Mike van Vuuren	06:03	Chicken Run
Jan Heenop	06:05	Chicken Run
Michael Graz	06:09	4th (Trail)
Caroline Balkwill	06:44	5th / 1st Female
David le Page	06:44	5th
Jacques Mouton	06:55	7th
Suzaan Kruger (Willie)	06:58	7th
CJ Viljoen	-	CP 1 Start
Jeff Willcocks	07:03	9th
Erika Groetpass	07:50	Chicken Run
Martin Grotepass	07:50	Chicken Run
Geert de Decker	07:33	Chicken Run
Klaus Kassel	07:33	10th
Mary de Decker	07:41	Chicken Run
Glen Lindsay	07:44	11th
Marc Rodgers	08:10	12th
Rod Warner	08:20	13h
Amanda Williamson	08:27	14th / 2nd Female
Christine Collins	08:27	15th / 2nd Female
Andy Cox	08:50	16th
Chris Crewdson	11:49	17th (Trail)
Gisele Crewdson	11:49	18th/ 4th Female (Trail)
Jayde Butler	DNF	Did not Finish
Kevin Ewers	DNF	Did not Finish
Lee Rawlings	DNF	Did not Finish
Andrew van Blommestein	DNF	Did not Finish
Mark Wagenheim	DNF	Did not Finish
Sue Ulyett	DNF	Did not Finish
Barbara Hage	DNF	Did not Finish
Stephen Hector	DNF	Did not Finish
Bianca Grotepass	DNF	CP 1 Start
Frans Grotepas	DNF	CP 1 Start
Ad Cole	DNF	Withdrawn
Jo Mackenzie (Emily)	DNF	Withdrawn
Guy Wood	DNF	Withdrawn
Lianne Wicks	DNF	Withdrawn
Ryan Jucker	DNF	Withdrawn