Rhodes a Great Event
Article from The Barkly East Reporter – 11 August 2000
Leaving Rhodes in the early morning at -12°C on a 52km run up the mountain and back is still considered to be the ultimate test of endurance (or madness) by many. Saturday July 21st saw the 12th running of the Rhodes and it was a lively weekend for the mountain village with so much spirit.
Friday evening at the Rhodes Community Hall the 296 starters (312 originally entered), register. There was a buzz of activity as runners prepared for the grueling event by filling up on pasta for energy and partaking of other more questionable “aids” such as beer and a swim in the freezing Bell River at midnight. The ladies who prepared and served the meals outdid themselves and spoiled the participants. Their job involved staying up late at the Hall and getting back in the early hours of the next morning to help thaw out runners by providing endless cups of coffee.
When registering each runner received a beanie, a pair of gloves and a long-sleeved top. A medal and a nip of sherry to warm the blood were welcome extra gifts. Dried flowers were also presented to the ladies.
After two weeks of really freezing weather the day turned out to be perfect for running after the sub-zero start.
Anthony Cox of Oxford Striders, East London was King of the Kloof at the 21km mark in 2 hours 14 min. However he was overtaken by a number of runners on the homeward journey and he finished 22nd in 5 hours 32. The Queen of the Kloof was Linda Wolhuter of Hilton Harriers who finished that part in 2 hours 47 (still 17 minutes slower than the record held by Barkly’s own Jeanette Steyn). Linda finished as second woman home in 42nd place behind Michelle Russell of Hillcrest Villagers in her first Rhodes Run.
The winner in 4 hr 37 was Allan Ryninks of Varsity Old Boys, Cape Town, a veteran in his first Rhodes run which happened to fall on his birthday which crowned a wonderful day for him. Second place was also won by a veteran, Johan Burger of Bloemfontein, who won this race on a previous occasion and has 3 other top 4 finishes.
Andre Dalton of Body Concept, Port Elizabeth came third in 4:44:07.
The third veteran home was 5th placed Rufan Palm of AS Eagles Pretoria. The first over 50 (Master) runner was Gerhardus Pretorius of Middelburg Marathon Club (14th position overall). The second Master home was Tinie Strydom of Pretoria Police who was placed 27th overall.
Other notable achievers were Marietta van Rooyen of Agape, Pretoria who was third lady home and first Veteran Master Lady. She has participated in all 12 Rhodes and has her permanent number (9). She was 57th overall in a time of 6hr 23. Just ahead of her was the first over 60 (Grand Master) Attie Nortje of Amanzimtoti AC in 54th in 6 hr 19.
Local interest as centered on first Rhodes Club member home, Kobus Marais who was 68th in 6 hr 28. Fritz Madel, who owns a house in Rhodes, was second grandmaster home in 7 ½ (153rd overall). Jonathan Sephton who was responsible for organizing all the water points was 187th in 7:52. Hats off to second local woman home, Dassie Nel who, in her first big race finished in 8hr 4sec. A reward for all the road work she had done with Jeanette Steyn. Dassie managed to beat two Rhodes club men, Reinhard le Roux (Chairman) and Fred Leask. Jeanette very unfortunately had to withdraw at the last minute on account of an injury.
Dassie’s message to Jeanette “Dankie vir ure se drawwery en motivering. Jy is ‘n dinamiese atleet en is sterk van gees. Jy het geglo in my toe ek myself getwyfel het en ek is nie vir ‘n oomblik skaam om te se dat ek dit nie sonder jou kon doen nie. Dankie dat jy letterlik en figuurlik all die pad daar was.”
