Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 50, September 2013 | Page 37

Race Report (My Experience) downhill. It was not a very technical route, but it was quite slippery in places, and some of us gained a few war wounds. This year’s new start worked well, except that our hearts were jumping out of our chests within the ?rst ?ve minutes with that 1.5km near-vertical climb! into a rhythm on a course like this and I was able to enjoy the scenery without having to concentrate on the footing underneath. With the dry weather preceding the race weekend, the route was much less slippery than last year. At the time of writing, it is a few days to go to race four, the ?nale in Kleinmond, which looks set to be an awesome morning of racing, although the weather forecast isn’t looking too favourable. I’ve decided to tackle the longer XL again this year, and I’m especially looking forward to the section over the rocks in the ?rst loop and the single-track down the mountain. Tough & Terri?c Spur Cape Winter Trail Series 2013 We are very lucky to have such beautiful places to run in the Western Cape, although I tend to miss out on taking in the views when racing. That said, on some of these trails, the steepness of the climbs gave me plenty of time to look, while gasping for breath! – BY JENNY NEL The third race at the Taal Monument in Paarl was a fast and non-technical route, with amazing views. Having raced the previous day, I wasn’t perhaps as speedy as I should have been, and I think my legs were quite glad that it wasn’t technical. It’s much easier to get over the last couple of years and each of the four Spur Cape Winter Trail Series races was quickly sold out via online entries. All four of the runs in this series were different and special in their own way. The ?rst race at Paul Cluver, my favourite, had its endless climb, followed by magical single wonder how those with less lengthy legs manage to descend through the rocks here! Race two was all about taming the ‘Tyger’ at Tygerberg Nature Reserve. Not many ?at parts, but at least every climb had an awesome Taming the ‘Tyger’ in race #2. Image: Courtesy Wildrunner I t’s amazing how trail running has developed track and gulley crossing with ropes – I always Be Part Of Gauteng’s Premier Road Running Race Expo The ROAD ACCIDENT FUND EXPO is the of?cial registration point for THE BONITAS CITY2CITY MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 10km. 3 Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September (Race day: Sunday 29th September) James and Ethel Gray Park, Melrose, Johannesburg The ?rst running of the historic City2City ultra-marathon took place in 1903, with just 36 runners taking on the dusty road from Johannesburg to Pretoria. Today, 110 years later, the race attracts well over 8000 entries across the three distances on offer (50km, 21.1km and 10km), and with the growth of this iconic race, the Road Accident Fund is delighted to launch this Health and Fitness Expo, which will incorporate some of the top brands in the sporting, pharmaceutical and personal care industries, as well as Runner Registration for all entrants. The Expo is free and open to EVERYONE! For Expo enquiries, or to book your stand, contact Liezle Bothma on 031 3122990 or [email protected].