Celebrating reaching the King of the Mountain point … as it ’ s downhill from here !
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WHEN THE MOUNTAIN CALLS
Now in its 44th year , the Pirates 21K Powered by Medshield is a bucket list half marathon on the Joburg race calendar . Affectionately known as ‘ Over The Mountain ,’ it consists of three big hills , two of which will test your training . But is it really that tough ? We take a look at the route to help you plan for the day , so that you know what to expect .
The route winds its way through leafy Greenside before turning right into Rustenburg Road and heading up 1 st Avenue in Linden . It ’ s the first of the three big hills , but it ’ s early days and you ’ re still running on fresh legs , so you ’ ll hardly feel it . Still , take it slow and save your legs for what ’ s to come .
Once you ’ ve crossed Braam Fischer and turned turn left at the top of the hill , there ’ s a great downhill to recover on while you wind your way through Linden and Darrenwood to Northcliff . The route is pretty flat here , with just a bump or two in the road , but it ’ s not until about 9km in , when you turn left up Willow , that the real climbing starts . There ’ s a slight reprieve before you hit what Pirates runners refer to as K1 ( or K * khuis 1 ), which will force even the toughest runner to a walk !
Once at the top , enjoy the few steep downhills and gentle ups towards the halfway mark , where you shouldn ’ t forget to take in the view to the left . If it ’ s a clear day , runners will tell you they can see all the way to the Magaliesberg .
Images : Courtesy Pirates AC
Here is why the Pirates 21K Powered by Medshield is called Joburg ’ s Toughest 21 !
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A gradual downhill will take you right up Hearn , around the 13k mark , towards K2 ( yes , you guessed it , K * khuis 2 ) with the Northcliff water tower now in sight . Catch your breath at the top of Hearn , where the road evens out temporarily to the left , but try and run the last short , steep stretch of Rockey Drive to the top of the mountain and K2 for a mandatory selfie under the ‘ King / Queen of the Mountain ’ banner around the 14km mark .
It ’ s pretty much downhill for the next couple of kays , which can be hard on your legs , so go easy until it flattens out again around 17km . Even the slightest bump here can hurt , especially the very last short and silly one over Barry Hertzog after the Engen , which , some say , should be referred to as K3 .
As far as road half marathons go , this is a tough one , but with most of the big climbs in the first half , it ’ s a wonderful route home , with rewarding views , and in true Pirates style , the beers are cold at the finish !
Jacques Peeperkorn crosses the finish line
Teboho Noosi at the top of K2 in Rockey Drive
Ayanda Mbambo on his way to completing the Pirates 21k Powered by Medshield
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