"The Reporter"
24 July 2015 edition
'Local Runners Finish Strong'
A glorious sun rise greeted runners as they lined up for the 27th UTi Rhodes Run. The most significant tourism event in the district had brought over 1000 people to Rhodes. Most were hoping for snow, although some of the runners were nervously wishing for a clear day. Last year’s snow storm, and the biting cold, still fresh in their memory.
The start temperature was a summery +3º. However, the bitter wind on the Lesotho border and along Hooggenoeg Ridge saw a wind chill of -5º, not comfortable for those who had either discarded or disregarded a warm top. They would pay the penalty and a very uncomfortable few hours lay ahead for many.
Notwithstanding the wind, the firm underfoot conditions and relatively warm temperature made for the best running conditions in over ten years. This was underscored with 5 new ‘Best Times’ being set.
The husband and wife team of Iain and Su Iain Don-Wauchope took line honours on their return to the Rhodes Run.
Su created an early buffer and was 4th overall as she claimed the ‘Queen of the Kloof’ title, improving her own best time to the top of Mavis Bank to 2:20:06. Leilani Scheffer chased Su over Mavis but was already more than 20 minutes back. Su pushed on to better her own ‘best time’ over Hooggenoeg, reducing it to 3:41:55.
Maintaining her 20 minute lead back to the village Su took her first Rhodes Run title in 5:09:37, finishing 5th overall.
Up front Iain Don-Wauchope was not having it all his own way. Local runner Sydney Speelman, was tracking the double Rhodes winner. Iain and Sydney had built up a 20 minute buffer over third paced Ben Brimble at the top of Mavis Bank, with Iain claiming the ‘King of the Kloof’ title some 3½ minutes ahead of Sydney.
Crossing the style over Hooggenoeg Point together, with Iain edging Sydney, the pair raced down Carlislehoek towards Rhodes. The experienced veteran Iain Don-Wauchope outpaced Sydney Speelman to break the tape for his third Rhodes Run win 2:05 ahead of our hard trying local runner.
Iain’s record of three wins from three starts at Rhodes is nearly eclipsed by the consistency shown by Sydney Speelman at the event.
In five Rhodes starts Sydney has finished 4th (2006), 3rd (2011), 9th (2013, after having served a 60 minute penalty at Mavis Farm) and 3rd in 2014 when he claimed ‘King of the Kloof’.
Sydney was not the only local runner to shine at this edition of the Rhodes Run.
Hylton Dunn, another local runner showing great consistency, enhanced his record at Rhodes of never having finished outside the top four in five starts. Hylton finished 4th in 5:04 this year. Previously Hylton has three 2nd place finishes (2011, 2013 and 2014) and another 4th place finish in 2010.
Rhodes 2015 appeared to be a year for partners. Sunelle Dunn finished 10th Lady and was presented with a silver medal for her 3rd place in the Ladies 40+ category.
Finishing her third Rhodes Run to claim a well-deserved ‘Snowflake’ blue permanent number was Lise Smith. Slightly ahead of Lise over the finish line was her brother Jacobus who completed his first Rhodes in a very creditable 8:09.
Janneke Leask had a fantastic run for her first experience of the event finishing in 6:13 to claim a Silver medal as 7th Lady overall. Another novice finisher was Jaco Jacobs who ran a very respectable 7:43.
The Ford Ranger support vehicles were busy transporting withdrawn runners back to Rhodes, where the finishers were pampered with a fabulous The North Face top and their traditional bottle of Sedgwick’s Old Brown.
Habitual visitors Sham Singh and Danny Holton completed their 27th Rhodes Run and Sakkie Vlok, Kobus Brand and Dave Moody crossed the finish line for the 21st time.
At the awards ceremony 35 runners were presented with their prized ‘Snowflake’ permanent number.
