We recognised a rather special achievement on Saturday at prize-giving. Three special achievements in fact.
This year was the 30th edition of the Rhodes Run which has been held in every type of weather imaginable. Some years the sleet and snow has made it particularly unpleasant for our feed station crew who are at times exposed to the elements for more hours than most of our runners are on the route. Some years the ambient temperature never reached zero °C.
It was a pleasure and a distinct honour to recognise the only couple who have manned a feed station for each of our 30 years.
Francois and Hannelie Nel of 'Hamilton'.
The question was, how? How to suitably acknowledge a couple who have been supporting our runners in all conditions with something distinctive as well as being possibly practical.
One of our Rhodes home owners is well known East London potter John Steele. John is well known to Francois & Hannelie and would provide a 'local touch'. We commissioned John to create an appropriate fruit or hanging bowl which could be proudly displayed at 'Hamilton'.
Congratulations Francois and Hannelie, we and our runners appreciate the support you have provided these past three decades.
Of the thousands of hands which have paused at Francois & Hannelie's table over the years only two pairs have been past every year.
Two runners who were pioneers back at the first event in 1989 and have not missed a Rhodes Run since.
Our two pioneers run with a 'Gold Snowflake' number and over recent years are often seen running and chatting together as they complete the run.
Sham Singh wears #13 and Danny Holton #14.
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| Sham & Danny at the Quarry Check Point this year |
Again, how to recognise two loyal runners who are our friends and are such friends of the event.
No 'gold number', done that. No framed gold medal, done that. No certificate, done that. No combination of these, done that. No special trophy with all their finishing times engraved, done that.
What would they not, maybe never, expect to receive.
Well, thankfully in 1989 everything relied on the postal service, and good 'old school' handwritten entry forms. Yes, we still have the latter.
We found their original entry form from 1989. We would like to think they would not have expected that, and had them framed, with a gold medal and a miniature of their gold number.
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No, we have no idea what we'll do for their 40th run, but thankfully we have some time to work on that!
Thank you Craig Muller | Backyard Adventures for the Prize-giving table and Quarry Check Point photographs.
