Spot the runners ...
Through the lens of Craig Muller | Backyard Adventures 'up high' at the 27th UTi Rhodes Run
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| Someone, other than Craig Muller, kept a sharp eye on the 2015 Rhodes runners |
Shot in the arm for local economy - "The Reporter"
Shot in the arm for local economy
26 June edition of 'The Reporter'
The annual UTi Rhodes Trail Run is almost upon us and preparations are in full swing to receive the over 1000 visitors to the village.
The Trail Run has without question been a stable force for the local economy for many years.
The traditional Friday evening meal prepared by family and friends of the Rhodes Christian School in the Farmers Hall, this year under the able stewardship of Deidre Gush, will again be well supported. Saturday will start off with Deidre’s team serving breakfast buns for the non-runners after the start, although Deidre says they are more than happy to serve runners who feel the need for extra sustenance before tackling this extreme event. The Farmers Hall will be a hive of activity all day Saturday with many tasty eats and drinks for sale.
The Rhodes Christian School also benefited from a ‘Wild Card’ entry made available for a lucky draw. The lucky winner not only secured an entry to the run but also, and possibly more valuable, accommodation close to the start.
Dave Walker of “Walkerbouts Inn” reports that his dining room is fully booked for the Saturday evening. Dave expects his highly rated and very tasty pizzas to be huge favourites over race weekend, while the pub at “Walkerbouts” is expected to be very busy.
Every bed in the valley has been booked and in many cases floor space as well. Fuel stations in Barkly East and on all routes to Rhodes will notice a slight up-kick as runners travel to the Bell River valley, and when they return home.
It is not only local commerce and industry who will benefit from the run. The Rhodes Vulture Restaurant will, as has become customary, receive part of the proceeds from the sale of Rhodes Run Polar Bear Club™ t-shirts as well as all the proceeds from the sale of the Polar Bear Club certificates which have once again been donated by the Trail Run.
School shoes handover at Zakhele Rhodes Public School
It was the most incredible experience.
Handing over 200+ pairs of new school shoes, generously donated by Apeco, to the children at the Zakhele Rhodes Public School.
Thank you Apula for donating 200 pairs of wool socks and all those who contributed towards the other 200 pairs.
Thank you Twizza for making the special day extra special
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| Rhodes Run Event Director | Introducing Karen MacKenzie of Apeco |
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| Karen MacKenzie of Apeco (left) and thanks from the community | |
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Tape Busters Back
In July there will be a few crusty Polar Bears who will be hauling themselves up Mavis for the plenty-teenth time, while waiting apprehensively for Hooggenoeg Ridge to appear will be our novices who make up 35% of the 2015 field.
Among the crusty types there will be about 40 who, after plummeting back to the village via Carlislehoek, will be claiming their Snowflake number.
A further 28 will be traversing the lower slopes of Ben McDhui for the tenth time or more. Well, traversing Ben McDhui to a degree as, quite correctly, the historians and purists will point out that twice Mavis has not played hostess on race day. Included in the 28 will be our two pioneers, Danny Holton and Sham Singh, who will line up for their 27th Rhodes Run.
Not to shock Danny or Sham, but approximately 6% of the field had not dropped from their stork when Danny & Sham first went into the unknown of a snow-crusted Kloppershoekkloof those 27 years ago.
A warm welcome to novices and repeat runners alike, and it is always special to greet previous winners. This year six will be in the pre-registration Sedgwick's OB queue on Friday evening.
| Jannie le Roux - Took line honours in 1991, 1992 & 1994 | ||
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| Jannie completing his 18th UTi Rhodes Run in 2014 | ||
| Iain Morshead - Took line honours in 2003 and in 2006 | ||
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| Iain takes the win in 2006 (Image Rhodes Trail Run) | ||
| Erina du Toit - Took line honours in 2009 | ||
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| Erina with honours (Image Erina du Toit) | ||
| Iain Don-Wauchope - Took line honours in 2012 & 2013 | ||
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| Iain leading during the blizzard hit & shortened 2012 event | ||
| Karoline Hanks - Defending Champion from 2014 | ||
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| Karoline with trophy | ||
| Johnny Young - Took line honours in 2008 and again in 2014 | ||
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| Johnny on Mavis in 2014, on his way to complete his 9th Rhodes |
Who will bust the tape on the 11th?
All images : Craig Muller - Backyard Adventures (unless otherwise indicated)
Eight Weekends
In eight weekends our remote village will be a hubbub of excitement as runners arrive and final preparations are made.
Weather conditions on 11 July? Who knows, but we are fairly sure that more will take heed at the final pre-race briefing than did last year. Snow is cold. Wind and snow is uncomfortably so - especially if you do not have appropriate kit with you.
Apparently a very old Scandinavian saying that has been used for well over a hundred years in English ~
"Det finnes inget dålight väder, bara dåliga kläder" .... "there's no bad weather, just bad clothing"
Eight weekends to go over kit lists, obtain appropriate kit and test it. Those eight weekends will flash past and the next thing it'll be time to join the Rhodes Run Polar Bear Club™
The right gear makes for a comfortable run, well a comfortable run provided legs and lungs have been warned and prepared!
Suggested kit for your trot into the Kloppershoekkloof and along Hooggenoeg Ridge can be found here.
