Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 125, December 2019 | Page 46

Switchbacks and the Road
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Young spectators need energy as well
The next two days of running was much easier mentally, as both the marathon
distance and high altitude were now behind us. After being disconnected from
the world for three days, it was almost sad to be back to where your phone would
notify you what’s going on in the world. On day four, countless switchbacks await
you and the sound of the Ramman River grows louder as you drop down towards
it. The day ends on the side of the road after about 19km of running down into a
valley and part way up the other side, followed by a bus trip back to Rimbick.
That evening a bonfire was lit and the locals entertained us with all their traditional
dancing and musical talents. As athletes, we were all asked to perform with our
fellow countrymen and women, but an impromptu group performance is probably
not my strongest point. Let’s just leave it at that...
On the final running day you get bussed to where the race finished the previous
day, and the last opportunity to gain altitude lies in the first 8km of the day. A
beautiful village awaits you at the top and then the reality of it almost being over
kicks in. A big part of the day’s 28km run is on tarred road, and in the near future
this entire section will be completely tarred, as we ran past different sections where
they were upgrading the road. This means the race will be more accessible and
‘runnable’ in future, which will come as great news to the ‘roadies.’
The most welcome and friendly welcoming party awaits you at the finish line back
in at Maneybhanjang, with school kids cheering and singing as each athlete arrives
at the finish line. Phoning home with that overwhelming feeling of achievement got
me really emotional, but it was quickly ‘fixed’ with a cold beer.
One simply must carry
a camera in this race!
Tarred roads for
the last two days
46
ISSUE 125 DECEMBER 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
High-fives for
every finisher
from local kids