Barkly East Reporter 25 June 2010 (Page 1 Lead Story)
The areas biggest, and longest standing, annual event the Liberty Medical Scheme Rhodes Trail Run takes place on Saturday 3 July and Barkly East will be represented by three well known athletes.
Jeanette Steyn, who won the Ladies section in 1994 and held the Queen of the Kloof record for many years, will be running her seventh Liberty Medical Scheme Rhodes Trail Run. Jeanette's first Rhodes was in 1993 and over the years she has seen massive changes in the gear runners wear and take with. Gone are the fluffy tracksuit pants to ward off the cold, having been replaced by hi-tech light weight fabric. One of the constants over the years has been the bottle of sherry each runner receives on crossing the Finish line.
Thato Kabedi will be climbing Mavis Bank, the legendary steep hill leading to the Lesotho border road check point, for the third time. Thato has previously finished in 15th (2006) and 17th (2008) position and will be aiming for a top 10 finish this year. Thato's entry will once again be sponsored by Evie Raubenheimer. A highlight this year for Thato will be receiving one of the prestigious ‘snowflake' embroidered numbers which is presented after completing three runs.
Our third Barkly runner is Billy Mollentze who will be running his second Rhodes. Billy had a real baptism of fire last year when deep snow forced the organisers to reroute part of the course. Like all the participants Billy will no doubt be hoping that the snow around Lesotho View will be runable this year and not the knee deep trudge the 2009 runners experienced.
While our three locals are looking forward to their day running under Ben MacDhui, the Rhodes locals are preparing for the invasion of runners and their families and friends.
Without a doubt the biggest annual contributor to Rhodes tourism the Liberty Medical Scheme Rhodes Trail Run creates substantial benefits for the local community.
In addition to hotel and B&B accommodation being fully booked a year in advance for this premier event the local eateries and bars will do a roaring trade.
The parents from the Rhodes Christian School, ably led by Juan-Marie Naude, will again be providing their very tasty and much enjoyed pasta evening on the Friday. The Rhodes Christian School benefits significantly from the Trail Run with the pasta evening and the all day Saturday food stalls being a major fund raiser for the school.
The Race Director, Evie Raubenheimer, told the Barkly East Reporter "There are many people who assist to make our visitors feel welcome in our special part of the country. Juan-Marie Naude and her team do wonders on the food side, but I must mention a very special couple who will be manning a feeding station in the freezing sub-zero temperatures for the 22nd consecutive year. Hannelie and Francois Nel of ‘Hamilton' farm are fantastic with their support"
We wish all our visitors especially those running a very enjoyable stay.
Good luck to, to the organisers and runners from the staff of Barkly East Reporter.
