Up front the race is on to reach the Mavis Top Check Point in under 2 hours, and the King and the Queen of the Kloof trophies.
Down the field some are crossing the Kloppershoekspruit for the umpteenth time as Mavis Bank rears up in front. Some will be scrambling up Mavis, slipping, cursing, pausing to look back and admire the view, all the time dreading to hear the wail of the 4½ hour siren which will mark the end of their run.
When that mournful cut-off siren echoes through the Kloppershoek Kloof it sends shivers down the spine of those who have not reached the top. The wail resonates with a wave of relief over those who have been through the Check Point and are battling towards Lesotho View usually against the beastly breeze coming over the Ben MacDhui snowfields which drops the temperature to near freezing or below.
Those who miss the cut-off will unpack their mandatory space blanket to keep body warmth at survival levels for the rather bumpy ride back to the village.
One runner however has the luxury of a warm snuggly fleece blanket while waiting.
The first runner to arrive at the Mavis Top Check Point after the siren receives a specially embroidered dated blanket. A unique one-off. A much-treasured award for missing out on a finisher’s medal. The ‘cut-off’ blanket has been awarded twelve times. Possibly the toughest, most difficult award to receive, yet one runner has managed to receive the award twice!
The 2009 presentation was made by ‘Waltzing’ Dave Wright of Comrades Marathon fame. Due to thick snow on the border road which made vehicle access to the top of Mavis Bank impossible the Kisch IP Check Point was moved to a spot near the Tiffindell turn off.
Joe Louis said "Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no-one wants to die"
Pretty much sums up our cut-off blanket. Everyone would like it, but no-one wants to receive it.
