TRAIL RUNNING
Stunning rock formations dot the Tankwa landscape and shown to our tent . There were a range of accommodation options , from just a campsite to a furnished chalet , and we were allocated a luxurious tent , which provided electricity , two single beds , bedding and a bedside lamp . This is by far the best accommodation I have experienced at a stage race !
We unpacked our gear , took a tour about the race village and found the ablution blocks , and then got ourselves ready for the 5.3km night run . In earlier editions of this event , this Friday night run was optional , but this year the organisers made it compulsory , even though it did not count towards the overall times and results of the event . They also gave the run a fun neon theme , and just before sunset , the headlamps , neon glowsticks , brightly coloured tutus and even fairy lights congregated on the start line . The racing snakes took off at pace while the rest of us made new friends , stumbled up hills and over rocks by headlamp , and had a lovely little warm-up fun run .
In the weeks leading up to the Tankwa Trail Run , little nuggets of advice were handed to me by runners who either knew the area well or had done this race before . The two that stood out for me the most were that you had to take extra bedding and a hot water bottle , and the other was that you ’ d come home heavier than when you left . Both pieces of advice turned out to be true , but we ’ ll get to that later …
After a pretty drive through Ceres and Prince Alfred Hamlet , you climb the Gydo Pass to enter the iconic ‘ Koue Bokkeveld ’ – loosely translated , it means ‘ cold buck scrubland .’ ( Below the pass is known as the ‘ Warm Bokkeveld .’) Soon after the pass , you find yourself on a dirt road towards Kaleo Guest Farm , the host venue of the Tankwa Trail
Run . The higher we climbed and the closer we got to the farm , the colder it became as we watched the temperature display on the car ’ s dashboard rapidly dipping , and a few nervous giggles came from the occupants in our car as we wondered what kind of adventure we were in for .
Temperatures drop rapidly after sunset in this part of the world , and we were happy to find a warm meal , heaters and a large fire waiting for us in the race village . I need to go off on a tangent here and explain Dryland Events hospitality . The food and drinks were so plentiful and delicious that it could compete with a wedding reception , and I ’ d like to add a huge shout-out to the caterers , who fully understood the needs of runners , even those who are vegetarian and vegan . I am still craving the delicious red velvet cake and lemon meringue desserts from Friday
Welcome to the Koue Bokkeveld
The organisers warned runners to pack for cold weather !
I was fortunate to be able to experience my first Tankwa Trail Run with my good friend , Nicole Hayes , who was about to participate in her first stage race – for the record , she killed it . You could enter as a team or solo , and we opted for two solo entries , because apparently , I ’ m too fast for her .
Getting Settled In
Kaleo Guest Farm is a gem tucked away between working farms in the area , and the buildings and facilities are well maintained , making it an ideal location for an event like this . As we arrived , the crew from Dryland Events welcomed us with smiling faces , eager to tend to our every need , and we were quickly registered
The organisers of the Tankwa Trail include a piece of handy advice to entrants in the race info pack : Winter is at 6am , Spring starts at 10am , Summer is at 2pm , and Autumn is around 5:30 ’ ish . Please pack accordingly !
52 ISSUE 151 | www . modernathlete . co . za
Headlamps and neon glowsticks lit up the night run