ROAD RUNNING
Running into Fish Hoek
Aunty Shamilla , Aunty Sharifa and the Mageds at 48km , getting the team ready for Red Hill
Point , where Ezzo ’ s rat friends came out to check up on us , then Jill hit a left to get back to her car . ( She was happy that we were safe .)
Cape Town , past the flower-sellers – lovely people , “ morningks julle , lekker haaaaloep .” Into Darling Street , or Rat Avenue , District 6 , Woodstock on high alert because of the tik addicts . Who knows what their plans are ? They seem to have more time in the day to do random acts of “ kindness .” Now , 13km done as we head towards the Southern Suburbs like a Wynberg taxi … Nou ry – gou ry . The legs keep ticking , but I am incredibly hungry … two race food bars done and the first big stop for food would be at 21km in Rondebosch . A chance to see friends , chat a bit , got to meet Ezzo ’ s mum and get that very important
chicken mayo roll . ( Thanks , Vania , you legend .)
So Far So Good …
Nearly a quarter of the distance done and the conditions were good , but still not warm enough to remove layers of clothing . The sun was trying really hard to make an appearance now , but the clouds played along nicely for us . Adiel Slarmie drove past us , scolding us for running too fast , apparently . That was deeply concerning . Then Iekraam joined us for a few kilometres … 35km to be exact . Mad bliksem !
From Claremont ( Kler-mon , as the SDO calls it ) into
Wynberg is our first climb , nothing too hectic , but it does warrant a run-walk strategy to the top . The nightshift staff were straightening their wigs , fixing their eyelashes and making their skirts shorter for their early morning customers . COVID-19 is not for everyone , apparently . From Maynard Mall to Bergvliet was slightly downhill , gravity doing the necessary , and we got to our next feeding Station in good time . Dylan the physio joined in from Wynberg , his plan was to go to Dalebrook , which is apparently in Fish Hoek . Alas , more chicken mayo , Coke and water mix , photos and what seemed like a 300-strong crowd .
Off we went again … From Bergvliet to Fish Hoek via Port Elizabeth , because the wind between Westlake and Muizenberg blew three fully loaded Quantums up and over Ou Kaapse Weg . Yes , 28 people in each van ! Just past Military Road into Kirstenhof , we got to meet Merlin ’ s mum , and his serious brother , and found out he had hidden his pretty sister away from us . Terrible friend , really , not even an intro …
The wind kept us fresh , not much of a grind there , the banter was of a good standard , 30km mark at Muizenberg Station and Q ’ s family was there to cheer him on . 70km to go from here . Next stop , Fish Hoek Police Station , the first marathon mark . Rushda and Janey with our super juice mix and more food . I can trust Rushda to bring food – I don ’ t know how much of it will be left , but she ’ ll certainly bring enough . Janey Blue Number Athlete can take a selfie like no other , whoever is reading this can contact her to up
your selfie game . She ’ s also very , very encouraging .
Well Looked After !
From Fish Hoek we head to Glencairn , wind and sand all over the place , 45km gone and we meet up with Ezzo ’ s work friends . Lovely people with bananas and beverages and a poster saying how much they love Esmund . Strange , that . All along the Main Road , we ’ ve been pointing out Red Hill , the first big climb in the distance . Then we saw the Mageds and twins roll by . Now , anyone who has popped in at the Kenfac race day area is offered everything but a Sunday roast , and if they had time , I ’ m sure these ladies would make Sunday lunch for you , too . At the 48km mark , snack time , and the timing was perfect , giving our early birds the Galantinos and Van Wyk ’ s time to get a proper breakfast , and a moment to bring the heart rate down .
Red Hill , let ’ s walk and take a few run breaks ! That hill is usually okay at the John Korasie race , because you get the hill early , but we chose to get the hill around the halfway mark . Insane , crazy , tough , but so much fun . Ezzo even had some old guy talk smack to him about his weight . Classic . The view from the top of Red Hill is incredible . False Bay on the left and a massive slope down past an informal settlement .
Angelo gives Rushda Scott a thank you ‘ drukkie ’ for her seconding support
Down the hill we go , into Scarborough , Misty Cliffs and Kommetjie . But first a refill at Perdekloof , where Iekraam leaves us . An incredible effort , with lots of laughs , football chat and planning his Comrades with us when races return – or if someone can organise a few vaccines for us . Our support group has grown , with more kids . It ’ s the kids that really make these long runs exciting , because they bring their innocent energy and joyous faces to the party . Adults are starting to need the mid-morning nap by now , but they ’ re soldiering on . We offered them water , Coke , Energade and food . They turned it down , very polite bunch .
Red Hill broke the group up . Now Qaasim , who got bullied into doing this run by his beloved sister , was taking strain . No time to be a hero , sometimes it ’ s a case of go home or go to hospital . A good decision made , he sat out a part of the journey to recover a bit . Absolutely no shame in that , what he has achieved with such a little mileage was nothing short of incredible . Really admirable performance from the young man .
16 ISSUE 140 APRIL 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za