Grootvadersbosch Adventure Trail Run
Pushing the envelope!
Press Release / 28.06.2013
These were the words of one runner at the 3d running of the Grootvadersbosch Adventure Trail Run this last weekend. The 3d run in the "Spur Country Classics" series also sold out, although a few runners did not make it to the start line due to injury and illness. The weather played along beautifully and runners could enjoy the awesomeness of the Boosmansbos part of the Reserve on day 1 - a World Heritage site. With 1650m altitude gain over 33km, the route traversed, fyn bos, protea stands, indigenous forests, open ridge lines, steep drops, crevasses and numerous mountain streams. The highest point of the route at over 1200m also meant they ran on the Langeberg Mountain ridge with views of the Klein Karoo to their left and the Hessekwa region to their right.
Day 2 had a 950m altitude gain over 22km and consisted of numerous deep valleys in the indigenous forests of the Grootvadersbosch Reserve and neighbouring Conservancy.
The line-up was probably one of the strongest ever at an Adventure Trail run with any one of 10 runners in the male category able to win this tough, 2 day challenge. In the end, only 4 minutes separated the first 2 male runners with Vibram FiveFingers athlete, Andrew Hagen, in 3d. The female race also remained open until the Day 2 but Caitlin Lewis managed to stave off a late charge from Maretha Combrinck.
Many runners were physically and mentally challenged - to their limits and beyond - but remained adamant that this is undoubtedly the utopia of Adventure Trail running.
The essence of this run was captured stunningly by Adventure Photo Journalist - Jacques Marais.
Race Organizer - Ugene Nel - applauded the resolve of the runners whom finished tough 2 days of running. He confirmed that for people to experience true remoteness and experience Nature's treasures, they need to exit their comfort zones but not without due respect that Nature deserves.
MALE
POS NAME DAY 1 DAY 2 TOTAL
1 Bernard Rakadaz 03:08:02 01:53:40 5:01:42
2 Charl Souma 03:01:07 02:04:35 5:05:42
3 Andrew Hagen 03:08:29 02:04:22 5:12:51
4 Greg Goodall 03:14:10 02:02:15 5:16:25
5 Chad Gordon 03:09:19 02:09:17 5:18:36
FEMALE
POS NAME DAY 1 DAY 2 TOTAL
1 Caitlin Lewis 03:56:11 02:37:18 6:33:29
2 Maretha Combrink 04:08:27 02:38:58 6:47:25
3 Rebecca Lazarus 04:17:44 03:01:58 7:19:42
4 Alisha Myers 04:34:55 02:48:17 7:23:12
5 Vanessa Fischer 04:28:24 02:59:18 7:27:42
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