17 October 09

 

32km, 11km &  5km

Greyton is the ideal Weekend Warriors town, with mountains, trails, rivers, coffee shops and quaint pubs.

Target Events launched the Bushmans Blitz as an out and back 32km trail run, with the more respectable 11km and a 5km for runners taking full advantage of the warm hospitality.

32 enthusiastic running guinea pigs lined up to test the main route. It is a real joy to partake in events with  little competitive drive and an abundance of adventurous spirit – as that suits my level of training!

Cas van Aardenne of Salomon took off in a streak of red kit and was not seen again, until the return leg, where he assured us that he was jogging along at an easy pace.

Old Ballies Neil Hermann and Noel Ernstzen, defied their venerable years and came in 2^nd and 4^th respectively, whilst Alistair Pott held on for 3^rd.

The ladies category had a soap opera of mixed fortune. Favourite Linda Doke twisted her ankle in the first few k’s and limped home early. Shortly thereafter, tough adventure racer Tatum Loftus, slipped at a river crossing and damaged her arm. Ironman athlete Alison Ball, took a wrong turning and added 7 k’s to her days running (still beating her gasping husband the author), whilst Moyra Sheard struggled with a blister, which gave Julie Stevens the gap to take the crown. Trail running fun at it’s best.

The route starts off through the oak lined streets and swings off into the nature reserve for a warm up leg of 5kilometres, through fynbos covered slopes, and gentle single track.

After crossing two rivers the ascent begins and this is not an entry level climb. 5 k’s of steep uphill on an eroded jeep track, with enough loose pebbles to keep a sandboarder happy. The trail follows a river gorge that unveils spectacular views, which is just reward for the effort required to attain the first ‘summit’.

After this lung buster, some running of a few k’s takes you towards the second summit and a less arduous ascent. However, this places you at the lip of eternity – a look down a lost valley, reminiscent of Die Hel in Gamkaskloof. A knee jerking, zig zag descent follows and way in the distance, the trail snakes it’s way past several waterfalls and on to the 3^rd and final peak, at the 18k mark and the turn around point.

There was plenty of drinkable water en route and as the mecury boiled towards steaming, the pools offered welcome respite from the heat.

Van Aaardenne’s winning time of 3:23 reflects his intentions to turn in some strong results in the coming months, whilst Neil Hermann’s 3:32 was a strong performance for a Master. Julie Stevens’ 4:12 and 7^th overall, was a very credible result.