of hard and easy running . Although he ’ s renowned for his extraordinary longdistance victories , Sandes says his motivation to create a marathon-distance race , as opposed to an ultra , was driven by the desire to make trail running a more accessible sport . “ 46km in the mountains is already a big enough challenge , and a distance which is very cool , as you can start early in the morning , be finished by lunchtime and still enjoy time with your family and friends after racing ,” he says . Trail running is often lacking in spectators as races take place along remote tracks . However , keen to create some spectator-friendly spaces , Sandes has mapped out a turnaround through Kirstenbosch that he hopes will be a central hub for family , friends and spectators to congregate and support runners . The event will also include live tracking so that supporters can follow it online . Sandes hopes that by enhancing the spectator element of trail racing , he can grow the sport , inspiring others to “ put on a pair of shoes , run , and explore the beauty of our very own mountain ranges ”. He says he ’ s “ excited to be on the other side of the startline and host ” at an event that has total prize money of R160 000 , currently the biggest in South Africa . The men ’ s and women ’ s winners will receive R50 000 each , with R20 000 and R10 000 for those in second and third place . It ’ s attracted a top field of South Africa ’ s fittest and fastest trail runners to the inaugural event . The men ’ s field includes Kane Reilly , Daniel Claassen , Prodigal Khumalo , Kennedy Sekhuthe , Thabang Madiba , Lucky Miya , Bruce Arnott , Johardt Van Heerden and Siviwe Nkombi , while the women ’ s boasts Toni McCann , Jo Keppler and Landie Greyling , with one or two other speed-goats to confirm , such as Bianca Tarboton , whose decision will be made when her European racing plans are finalised . When travel opens up again , the goal is to attract a top international field as well . This year ’ s race is just a week after the Otter African Trail Run , and the plan is to keep these two events close on the calendar , with ideally two to three weeks recovery time between them , so that travelling internationals can include both in a trip to South Africa . With the current climate of lockdowns leaving much of the race environment out of control , Sandes has the following advice for Cape Town Trail Marathon participants . “ Control where and what you can : plan your training programme , and commit to it , regardless of the weather ; create a nutrition plan that works for you ; and most importantly , remember to have fun .”
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