the banana bread ), waiting to join a bit further back in the pack . |
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After that first stop at 5.3km , the runners followed an undulating jeep-track towards Bothashoek , with ( from what I have heard from the runners ) the most amazing views of both the Great and Klein Karoo regions either side of the Swartberg . Some of the runners also told me about running through a valley of the most beautiful sea of purple flowers , and I later saw what they were talking about in race photographs , so I know it wasn ’ t the heat getting to them . Then at 17k was the second refreshment point , and this one included a braai , with ( I am told ) the most delicious steaks ! This comes just before an Alpine-like technical descent of around 8km , as runners traverse to the finish at De Hoek Resort .
Even though I didn ’ t get to run this first stage , I loved that I got to experience the magnificent views from the Swartberg Pass , could engage with the runners at the first water ( buffet ) station , and then also got the opportunity to put my journalistic degree to practice , interviewing some of the finishers after the stage . So , all in all , despite the FOMO , I still had an amazing day , and got to experience the first stage of the race vicariously by speaking to some of the runners . And one thing is certain the Swartberg ( Queen ) stage of the event is a tough one , but it ’ s worth it for the views and beauty that surrounds you .
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Stage 2 : A Thankful Trundle
The second stage starts at De Kombuys , a few kilometres down the road from De Hoek . The atmosphere at the start felt more like a party than a race start , with dancing and singing ( with a few ‘ locals ’ joining in , too ), and Sean had his rubber arm twisted to do another spot of wine tasting with the Pinotage Plodders . I was just watching it all , and then intending to go back to the finish with Sean , when Isabel , who works in media and communications for Dryland , asked how I was feeling , because if I wanted to , I was welcome to run at least part of the route . She suggested I run from the first water point to the second one , which would be a relatively flat 10km stretch , and hopefully not too strenuous for my heart .
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I must admit , I had been feeling a bit like a spare wheel at that stage two start , so I was elated by the thought of being able to run and experience some more of the route first-hand . However , I wasn ’ t in running kit , so Sean quickly drove me back to De Hoek to change , then took me to the first water station . We got there around the same time as the leaders , so I hung around a bit ( while Sean chatted to all the runners , in between ‘ taste-testing ’ more of |
This second stage included some brand new , neverbefore-run trails constructed along the Grobbelaars river in the direction of De Rust , before heading to the stunningly scenic Raubenheimer Dam , before reaching the first water point . I missed that part , but really enjoyed a slow trundle towards the Cango Caves , through Oudtshoorn ’ s scenic agricultural landscape ( cows included ), running back past De Kombuys and its Cape Dutch style homesteads , and on to the second water point at Wilgewandel , where we were welcomed by donkeys , geese , goats , camels and other farm animals . And here we experienced another luxury Dryland Traverse buffet , complete with steak braai and cold beers , and even a cleaning station for sunglasses !
The author enjoying a well-earned mid-race beer
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Images : Shift Media & courtesy Nicole Hayes |