It was a cold snowy July morning, that bone shattering cold Rhodes is notorious for, when 73 apprehensive souls stood outside the Rhodes Hotel for the first race in the Southern Drakensberg.
2008 - We pay tribute to three of those pioneers who will be completing their 20th Rhodes Trail Run. Keep an eye open for Sham Singh (Race Permanent No 13), Danny Holton (No 14) and Grobbie Grobler (No 34)
Sham Singh (No 13)
Thank you for giving me the pleasure of sharing my 19 years of my experiences of this stunning and wonderful race.
During the inaugural run nobody knew what to expect of the conditions. We had loads of snowfall during July 1989. On that Saturday morning the temperature was around -9/-11 degrees. Entries
were limited to 75 runners but only 73 started.We ran with a backpack which contained an extra pair of running shoes, a change of clothing, a tripper pack and a pair of snow goggles. It looked as though we were on a hiking expedition.
All the rivers that we crossed were swift flowing, cold and icy. You could not boulder hop. 8km into the race, we decided to drop our backpacks as conditions improved.
When entering the gully, to our surprise we found it covered in thick snow. We had to use the yellow/red flags as our guide.
There were no paths to follow as there were only 73 of us (all well spaced apart).
At Mavis Bank, we did not use the fence to give us a lift, because it was covered in snow. It took hours to get to the top.
From the top of Mavis Bank onwards it was a hard slog because of the shin deep snow, thick mud and freezing winds. Every runner slipped and fell. 4X4 vehicles got to the top with snow chains around the wheels.
Going down the mountain, there were no cement blocks on the road, just mud, snow and ice. We eventually got to the end in one piece.
During the past 19 years the running conditions have improved drastically.
We now have clearly marked pathways to run. The rivers are dry and not swift flowing. The road on top of Mavis bank has little mud because it has been graded by a tractor.
Descending from the mountain is a bonus nowadays because of the cemented road.
In spite of all these changes, this race is unique because of its stunning beauty and you can experience all weather conditions in just one run.
Love and best regards
Sham
Danny Holton (No 14)
"The Barkly Pass is closed" I said, "Lets leave and take our chances" replied Pam as she got JJ (3) and Mandz (1) into the car.
The pass was open and we had an exciting but uneventful trip to Rhodes. We had booked into Rubicon and were delighted with the converted old School classroom, fireplace and all.
We woke to a freezing temp, way below zero and after preparation, off to the start. Not knowing what to expect, we were nervous and excited. During the brief we were told they had not managed as yet to get a vehicle to the top. "Should they delay the start?" "No ‘frikken' way, not in this cold, come on, lets go".
I gathered with the other two Buffs, Paul Salmon and Alan McNaughton and a few ex Buffs and sang the buffs song, "Hallelujah I'm a Buffalo, Hallelujah Buffs again, Hallelujah give us a beer now to revive us again".
Kissed the girls goodbye and we were off. The support from the local community manning tables on the first section was great, gathered around fires trying to keep the Coke and water from freezing. Through the first check point and into the ‘off road' stuff. Yea, this is what we had come for.
The bush was far denser then as the track was not as well worn and before long I was bleeding from scratches on the arms, thighs and calves. Damn, should have put in a bit more training, through the streams breaking ice, man, this is the ‘real deal' and there she was, Mavis Bank, BEAUTIFUL, ½ way, BUGGER, at the top, BITCH.
The Guys at the top were great, warm drinks and sandwiches the reward. WHAT, that's only 21 km, F#@#*, you joking. The top was slushy and difficult as the vehicles had churned it as they were making their way to the different stations. The road down the mountain was treacherous; it was dirt, full of ice, snow and slush. I remember sliding for meters at a time. Onto the last section, "Huis Toe" undulating and hard work.
Tired, dirty, ecstatic, I pass the Police Station and turn into the main road. Spectators clap as I run through the village to the finish "What, 10th" last silver, what a bonus.
Its hard to describe, you have to do it, its fantastic, unique, unbelievable. All right Danny, you've told us the Club members chorused!!! Yea, but did I mention............
WHAT A PLACE, WHAT AN EVENT, WHAT A PRIVALAGE.
Grobbie Grobler (No 34)
The first year I ran Rhodes 20 years ago was with three friends Claude, Koos and Dick. An experience never to forget, perhaps that is the reason that I have always gone back. I stayed in the caravan park for the first 17 years and the last 2 years in a house, perhaps I am losing my touch, not sure. My wife Erna has accompanied me on 17 of these runs, (WHAT A WIFE!).
Highlight of the first year was the 73 runners and most of the helpers in the hotel bar, drinking, not realizing what lay ahead. The atmosphere was electric, and the socializing great. In the caravan park the toilet and shower was very small, only a long drop and cold shower in a small building where the tool shed is at the moment.
We built a so called "snow man" (reminds me of something, look closely) and put a bottle of beer on top of it, needless to say the next morning the bottle had shattered due to the cold. Even the shop next to the hotel had a fire going to ens
ure that the cold drink bottles did not burst.
On the top of the mountain, at half way, there was an army tent with heaters inside to give us a chance to get our feet warm and dry, not realizing that by the time we got there the snow and mud on top had made a wet and slippery road.
The finish then is still the same as today, nothing has changed, the personal introduction of the runners coming in, the well organized handing out of the medals and old brown sherry.
And best of all is the organizers are still the same crowd. It is hard work to run, but 100% easier to run than to organize the event.
Keep up the good work
love you all
Johan and Erna
