The Merrell Hobbit Trail Runs
News Release / 16.10.2012
Hogsback, Eastern Cape,12th October 2012: A group of adventurous athletes embarked on the 2 day Merrell Hobbit 100km Trail Run - starting at Maden Dam near King Williams Town and finishing in the mystical town of Hogsback on Saturday the 13th.
The trail follows the undulating Amatola Hiking Trail (running them through the lush indigenous forests and icy cold cascading waterfalls) which gives the runners some of the finest scenery in the country. You can clearly see JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings inspiration as you head into the dense forest of this region. Runners were subjected to nature’s premium drinking system as they filled their water-bottles along the many waterfalls they passed. Each day consisted of 50km of hard trail, pushing each runner to their limit.
Ryno Griesel, overall winner and new record holder, in a time of 14:16.50, said that, "This is the toughest run he has competed in to date." Ladies winner, Helena Ferreira, completed the 38km trail run last year and came back fitter and stronger to take the ladies title, placing 6th overall with a brilliant time of 19:32.50.
All runners experienced their highest high’s, closely followed by their lowest low’s, but crossing the finish line after 100km's brought emotions that are impossible to feel unless you have conquered the Hobbit!
Athletes were kept on their toes as they ducked and weaved their way through the dense forest and over large boulder gardens, however the last few kilometres directed the field of hot and exhausted runners to the top of the magnificent Hogsback Mountain (1936 metres high). Runners then descended ever so graciously into the many pine forests and finally onto the finish.
As the 100km entrants were finishing up there were two other events happening: Merrell Hobbit 16km & 38km Trail Run’s. With the young and old, fit and unfit, everyone had a blast as they ran through the town of Hogsback and onto the lower trails to have a small taste of this incredible challenge. Entries are limited, so be sure to get yours in early to experience this magical race first hand in 2013!
Race info and entry details will be on www.mountainrunner.co.za
100km Results:
Men
1) Ryno Griesel – 14:16:50
2) Nicholas Mulder – 16:56:55
3) Jacques Mouton – 17:24:32
Ladies:
1) Helena Ferreira – 19:32:50
2) Shelly Hufner – 21:13:51
3) Nanette Ashley-Botha – 21:19-57
38km Results:
Men
1) Ross Michaux – 5:37:11.51
2) Marcus van Heukelum – 5:42:21.56
3) Graeme van der Nest – 6:32:19.42
Ladies
1) Tracey Almirall – 6:05:31.59
2) Marie-Louise Naude – 7:25:32.01
3) Andrea von Holdt – 7:28:13.76
16km Results:
Men
1) David Leith – 1:39:11.04
2) Lloyd Etherington – 1:39:35.07
3) Martin Rust – 1:43:21.51
Ladies
1) Alex Cech – 2:01:07.40
2) Melanie Bruce Miller – 2:03:58.85
3) Nicole Dodd – 2:08:38.90
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