FIRST ASCENT OUTENIQUA TRAVERSE PRESS RELEASE:

On 10 August 2009 140 trail runners from across SA, set-off for an epic run around Cradock Berg.

There were three options to choose from,

• A 14 km run for the not so fit,
• A 24 km run for those who were fit
• And 38 km for the mountain goats who train almost daily!

For a few this was their first trail run, and I hope not their last!

The run started at the Botanical Gardens in George, and from there runners had a few km of forestry gravel road to get warmed up. But after that it was single-track, more single track, over grown singletrack and yet more singletrack with a few km of jeep track thrown in near the end.

Runners ran (or most probably walked) up Cradock Pass. All I can say is that I don’t know how the early pioneers got an ox wagon over there… it is very steep!

Runners had to carry their own food and drink but could fill their hydration systems at streams. Due to the drought in the area a few of the streams where dry but there were still enough spots to get water. There were also two well stocked checkpoints with Coke, sweets, bananas and water. One was at North Station (so called because it was the place where people camped on the northern side of both Montagu and Cradock Passes) and the other was at Tierkop – marshals drove up to Tierkop in 4 x 4 vehicles. Access to Tierkop is restricted and Cape Nature gave special permission for access only for the run.

The scenery along the route was inspiring; huge mountains with rocky peaks, green valleys that stretch to the horizon and short sections of indigenous forest with lush ferns.

The weather was sunny and hot for August, a few runners experienced cramping problems, the terrain underfoot was very technical and a few runners hurt their ankles. The trail was also overgrown in a few sections, and all the runners had some scratches on their legs after the run. But despite all this, everyone was smiling at the end and one could sense that runners were celebrating after conquering the Outeniqua Traverse route.

Feedback from runners has been that this is a tough run, more so because of the technical nature of the trail. The total ascent is 1670 m. John Collins, a Knysna resident, was the first guy to finish the 38 km route in an amazing time of 4:29. Annemien Ganzevoort, Durbanville, was the first lady home in a time of 5:44.

All the runners got a First Ascent sponsored thermal long-sleeve top, and there were also a few First Ascent spot-prizes. Cape Nature was very generous as land owners to allow us to run across their property and get access to Tierkop. Runners had to rely on their own navigation skills to move from checkpoint to checkpoint. Each runner received a map that was compiled by Tuiniqua Consulting Engineers using 1:50 000 topo maps.

Chas Everitt George and Parexel sponsored the manned checkpoints, and Sports Supplements Unlimited, Beacon, Freezer Lines and Heatherpark Superspar made sure that the money was stretched even further by offering generous discounts on their products. Panarotti’s made sure runners were well fed before and after the run and the Garden Route Botanical Garden also had eats and drinks on sale at their Tea Garden. Vodacom supplied us with a few spot prizes and Kloppers and New Balance offered the winners of the 38 km run a pair of New Balance trail running shoes. Friends and family all chipped in to help make this an awesome run. The local Mountain Search and Rescue team were on standby for any emergencies during the event, but I am glad to say that the most work they did was accompanying a runner who had hurt her ankle off the mountain.

Next Race: Outeniqua Traverse 7th of August 2010