Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 56, March 2014

Race Reports HEARD AT THE FINISH For 40 years, the Discovery Surfer’s Challenge has seen paddlers and runners joust for bragging rights when tackling the 17.5km from Yellow Sands at Kwelera River to Nahoon Beach. After four decades, East London’s historic race is still seeing athletes of all ages taking on the gruelling test in growing numbers. – BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER Back in 1975, the surfers in East London challenged the runners to meet them on their turf – the beach – to plan a race over road, sand and rocks while racing the paddlers in the sea. That first ‘dual’ saw 26 competitors take on the challenge, with the runners coming out tops. The difference that the event presents is that while the runners are tackling the obstacles on the route, the paddlers are working the waves between the two points. And what a challenge, too! The run route is marked with different transitions – tar, loose boulders, gulleys and soft sand, and two river crossings as well! PADDLER’S DAY It was the paddlers who took this year’s titles, with Brendon Thompson emerging as the overall champion when he crossed the finish in 1:04:28 alongside teammate Andrew Carter. About eight minutes later, Sizakele Dayimani was the first male runner to finish the course in 1:12:29, with Nedbank’s Myrette Filmalter grabbing the first female runner’s place in 1:14:25, just behind the first female paddler, Michelle Powell (1:14:16). This year saw a record 4400 starters and an even bigger, better atmosphere than previous years, with a new 10km distance added and the 5km event for juniors, sponsored by Twizza, giving youngsters a taste of the mixed course. Another a highlight of the day was having Comrades legends, Bruce Fordyce and Shaun Meiklejohn, as part of the running field, while Jody Foster, Head of Discovery Sponsorships, also took on the main event to get a feel for the city’s long-standing tradition. After her run, Jody said it’s all about getting the community together: “It’s important to encourage East London to get active and achieve their health and fitness goals. The event gives Discovery an opportunity to take our core purpose of making people healthier, enhancing and protecting their lives, to more people, making a positive impact.” 38 ISSUE 56 MARCH 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za Myrette Filmalter: “I started slow and this year’s tailwind really helped me. I keep coming back to do the race because it’s one of the best events to challenge yourself with the course and on your own time.” Nwabisa Ndawo: “There’s such a nice vibe at the finish and throughout. It’s my first time doing this year’s new 10km but I managed to overcome despite the move from sand to tar to rocks. It’s something different!” Zondo Vucunz: “I’m not at my fittest and you have to be, because this race has a lot of hills and the terrain is different. It’s my first year here and I’ll definitely come back next year. Hopefully I will win it one day, too!” Bruce Fordyce: “The last 18 kays are a bit intense! Haha! It’s a great race, even though coming up towards Gonubie is a killer. The challenge presented is a great one, though!” Sakhumzi Madlavana: “There is a bit of everything you experience when you run. I’ve been coming back for seven years now because I love the support it gets. It’s also quite a hectic training run before Oceans.” SOCIAL FEEDBACK Shaun Meiklejohn (@ShaunMeiklejohn): “2013 Surfers Challenge 78:43, 2014 77:34. 11th & 9th overall, not bad for an old Comrades veteran. Need practice on the rocks!” Nangamso (@nan_ec): “Completed my first #SurfersChallenge! I’m a bit sore stiff but I’d do it all over again! What an adventure!” Dylan Muhlenberg (@dylanmuhlenberg): “Loose boulders, slippery rocks, soft sand and two rivers made up the gruelling 17.5km #SurfersChallenge. Beat 2hrs and my dad – stoked!” @Mel_a_Lexis: “Seeing these grannies in their 70s finishing a race of this kind makes my workout feel like a joke #discovery #surferschallenge Images: Lauren van der Vyver The 40th Discovery Surfer’s Challenge, Border, 22 February Modern Athlete was on hand to chat to athletes about their race.

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 56, March 2014 | Page 38