Twelve months is a long time.
Memories are dulled memories and with about half of our Class of '23 never having trundled our hills it is apprpriate to reprise an article from five years ago as a reminder and/or a gentle caveat.
Once you crest Mavis Bank you head out on the 'Border Road', the highest contour road in South Africa. We probably should have been more encouraging and phrased that "Once you crest Mavis Bank you stride out on the Border Road". However, somehow we don't see much 'free-flowing striding' on the Border Road.
Averaging 2600 MASL the 'Border Road' hugs the Lesotho border, touching the border fence at Lesotho View. Calling it a road would probably make Andrew and Thomas Bain flinch as it is merely a rough double track requiring good 4x4 driving ability at times and above average balancing skills if running when the track is covered with a layer of snow. There, we are more encouraging this time, using the 'running' word.
The 'Border Road' is a lonely part of the route, often viewed as merely a link between two notorious sections, Mavis Bank and 'The Tufts of Terror' on Hooggenoeg Ridge. Head down, grit your teeth and keep moving upwards is the best and only advice. Not much chit-chat will be heard, other than a not so infrequent muttered curse.
While ostensibly following the contour around the mountains this section is anything but flat! Nor smooth. There are a few bumps before you reach the road which snakes up from the top of Carlislehoek Pass. Many of the bumps force even the front runners to a walk. In poor conditions, which are 'good' conditions for the Rhodes Run, the road will snap at tired ankles and the wind gusting off the Ben MacDhui snowfields will strike you full in the face.
Your finisher medal is presented to you at the Finish Line, but you earn your finisher medal here 'up high'.
In pleasant balmy conditions, of which there have been ... we think!, the trot along the top and past Lesotho View can be rather pleasant. The view south, to your left, is truly magnificent and worth recording.
Health warning: If you are struck by the vista it would be best to stop to soak up the view. A stumble and fall could lead to either a tumble over the edge or a visit to our medical team, or both.
Stopping to soak up the view and record the scene also gives lungs an opportunity to suck in more of the thin air which your legs are crying out for.
The images below of the 'Border Road' show its many moods
Images: Craig Muller | Backyard Adventures and Rhodes Run archives.
Some images are of the Flag Team and crew
