Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 165 February 2024 | Page 57

Urban Trail Adventure

The Growler run in Joburg has been on my to do list for a while , and it was so cool that I got the opportunity to do it in early December . And while it isn ’ t a trail run , I think it can still be included in this column .

The other day I looked up the definition of an urban trail , and one that I found described it as “ a well-maintained path through an urban area .” However , after running the Growler 2023 , I have a new definition : It ’ s basically a run where trail shoes would be totally acceptable , even though it ’ s run on a road . The reason that the Growler is classified as an urban trail – in my head , at least – is because there is uneven ground , potholes the size of the crater in Kimberly , and enough litter to compete with the stones and rocks you ’ d find on an actual trail . However , this run is absolutely spectacular !

Carla amongst The Growler crowd
Carla ’ s message is simple …
The Growler is an annual 21km charity run through some of Joburg ’ s more ‘ interesting ’ streets , to raise funds for the Bethany Women and Children ’ s Shelter in Bertrams , by collecting bank notes at the start and end of the run , as well as EFTs . The run is organised by the Tyrone Harriers , and always gathers an awesome crowd filled with ‘ gees .’ There is no event registration , you just pitch up at the start in St Patrick ’ s Road in Houghton , opposite KES , and run , and there is secure parking at the start . There are also two petrol station stops along the route , a water stop at Bethany , and then free drinks and coffee at the end .
New Adventure in Jozi
The best part of The Growler is running through areas of Joburg I usually wouldn ’ t even drive through , let alone go to on foot , and I genuinely felt like an action movie star because of the places we headed
Having fun on the Nelson Mandela Bridge into , most notably the gas explosion site on Bree Street . We went into town , through Hillbrow , up to Constitutional Hill , past Ellis Park Stadium ( which was special for me , as I have played more tennis matches there than I can remember ) and the Ponte Tower , and we ran through the Bree Street Taxi Rank . I had such fun running over the Nelson Mandela Bridge , and into places I didn ’ t even know existed ( to be totally honest ). We ran past or through many cultural and historical wonders , which meant it wasn ’ t just a wonderful run with friends , but also the best was to tour our city .
With about 6km to go , we arrived at a very special place – the reason this run exists . The Bethany Woman and Children ’ s Shelter is a home for abused women and children , and the money raised through this event is all donated to the shelter . As we arrived , we were greeted by smiling faces who were so excited to hand us water … and let me tell you , that water was welcomed ! As we said our goodbyes , one of the women told me that I had one more very steep hill to climb , so I asked her if I could walk and got a very firm ‘ no ’ in reply . So , off we set , up the steepest and longest hill of the day . Boy , she was not wrong !
See You Next December
The 2023 edition of The Growler raised just over R57,000 for the shelter , and I am proud to have played a small part in that . Thank you to the team from Tyrone Harriers for the most amazing morning out , it really was a magical adventure ! Oh , and the free coffee at the end was totally the cherry on top ! Also , I ran with my buddy , Zara Bromfield , and we had many laughs , wow moments , and crazy photo opportunities . I found that experiencing a run like this with a friend makes it all the more enjoyable . ( Good training for your Comrades , Za !) PS : Thanks as always to my friends at Hoka , for the best shoes that keep my feet happy on these awesome adventures !
There ’ s a hilarious story behind the name of The Growler , but I ’ ll let the organisers explain when you go run it next December . Think of it as another good reason to join the 16th annual running of The Growler , which will take place on Sunday 1 December 2024 at 6am , and you can find out more at http :// growler . co . za . Please , fellow runners , if you ’ re around Joburg in early December , this run is not just a worthy cause , but also a wonderful way to explore our very own urban trail .
Growler runners taking in the sights
With friend Zara at Constitution Hill
Images : Courtesy Carla Farina , Zara Bromfield
About the Author
While Carla ’ s ‘ day job ’ is Head Tennis Coach and Director of Tennis at Game Set Match Tennis in Johannesburg , her second love is trail running , which she tackles with an unquenchable thirst for adventure , a never-saydie attitude , and a healthy sense of humour about all the misadventures that befall her on the trails !
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