The Reprter - 21 July 2017 edition
A Brave Run at Rhodes
It takes a brave runner to take the lead on Mavis Bank.
It takes a really brave runner to pass two previous Rhodes Run winners on Mavis Bank.
It takes an extremely brave runner to do this when he has never taken on Mavis Bank previously and the 31km route ahead is an unknown.
That is what unfolded at 9:15am last Saturday when Kallie Burger, a novice at the Rhodes Trail, moved from third position to first on the legendary Mavis Bank, passing Iain Morshead a two-time winner and then passing defending champion Hylton Dunn on his way to taking the King of the Kloof title in 2:17.
Two hours earlier 279 runners had left Rhodes in a mild minus 5° taking on the challenge of the 29th Rhodes Trail Run.
Iain Morshead led the charge to the Mavis Bank Farm check point with the pack snapping at his heels. Leilani Scheffer, the defending champion from 2016, took early charge of the ladies’ race and dominated the race throughout.
There was a slight change to the route at the base of Mavis Bank, described as a ‘face-lift’ for Tanie Mavis, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the old hands who were glowing with their praise of the change.
Conditions were the most runnable in the 29-year history of the event, with pleasant temperatures and a light breeze ‘up top’.
Scheffer took the Queen of the Kloof title in 2:35, extending her lead along the border road, reaching Hooggenoeg Point in 4:14 and completing the course in 5:41 finishing 8th overall and ensuring a comfortable victory. Janneke Leask held off Hermé Visser to take 2nd place, and 15th overall, in 6:04 with Hermé finishing 18th overall in 6:11.
At the sharp end the pressure was all on Burger as he pushed on, holding a slender lead. He took on the notorious ‘Tufts of Terror’ along Hooggenoeg Ridge, was first over Hooggenoeg Point in 3:29 and grimly held his nerve with exquisite pacing to take the win in 4:44:50.
Hylton Dunn crossed the line 20 seconds later, the closest 1-2 in the 29 years. Neil Cable took 3rd position in 5:15 and claim 1st in the 40+ category.
Previous winner Erina du Toit was 1st 40+ Lady in 6:39, taking 26th position overall.
Grant Wolff, 11th overall, was 1st in the 50+ category, with Ansie Bronkhorst 1st Lady 50+ in 7:59.
Danny Holton capped his achievement completing his 29th consecutive run by winning the 60+ category in 7:40.
The only other remaining pioneer to complete all 29 events, Sham Singh, crossed the line in 8:07 to ensure that both he and Danny remain on track to complete their 30th Rhodes Run next year.
Flying in specially from Boxford, Mass, USA, 71-year-old Peter Cross showed why he is such an inspiration to all, completing his 16th Rhodes in 8:50 and being the first winner of the new ‘Petards Trophy’ for the 70+ category.
On the route Hannelie & Francois Nel were hosting runners for the 29th time, while the team from Tiffindell ensured that runners took on Hooggenoeg Ridge in high spirits.
It was a special day for Dave Walker, Margie & Vaasie Murray, Frank Knox and the ‘Walkerbouts’ team as they were voted best feed station by the runners and presented with the Chairman’s Award.
At Den Hagen the now almost shattered runners received nutrition and much welcome encouragement from Johan & Petrie Jordaan.
Special framed awards were presented to Pam Holton, Kobus Brand, Shane Hinchliffe, Jannie le Roux, Guillaume Nel and Sakkie Vlok who had each completed 20 or more Rhodes Runs.
Snowflake Permanent numbers were presented to 33 runners who completed their third run.
There were 227 finishers within the 9-hour cut-off, which meant that the Ford Ranger support vehicles and the local support drivers Ronnie and Ronald Small and Jacques Bekker ferried a larger number than usual exhausted runners off the mountain.
The day ended in traditional fashion with many plunging into the Bell River to join the Rhodes Trail Run Polar Bear Club™ and making a contribution to the Rhodes Vulture Restaurant through purchasing the unique certificate. Only at the Rhodes Run do Polar Bears support vultures.
