In 100 days ...
In 100 days there will be more proud owners of the Rhodes Run 'Snowflake' permanent number.
International Women's Day
International Women's Day - 8 March 2016
Last year we celebrated the 184 women who have received their Blue 'Snowflake' Permanent Number at the Rhodes Run.
Today Su Don-Wauchope and Izelle Burke, who bracketed our female finishers last year, represent all our female finishers over the past 27 years and our 2016 female entrants & finishers.
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Photo credit : Tony Kietzman
RIP Chet Sainsbury
A big part of South African running left us this morning.
RIP Chet Sainsbury, Mr Two Oceans and Rhodes Trail Run *Snowflake* Number 216.
Back in the days when the Kloppershoekkloof was rough, the 'border road' far rougher than folk care to remember and our start/finish was outside the old Community Centre at the Tinternspruit Bridge Chet ran three Rhodes Runs in 1994, 1995 and 1996. In perspective, electricity had not reached the village and only the really adventurous ventured 'off road' to take up the challenge of a thin air track & trail run in a remote village in the middle of winter.
Chet's results at Rhodes
| Year | Position Overall | Position 50+ | Time |
| 1994 | 44th | 3rd | 5:46 |
| 1995 | 45th | 2nd | 5:44 |
| 1996 | 73rd | 7th | 6:31 |
Chet received his *Snowflake* Blue number # 216 after his 1996 run.
Our condolences to Chet's family and friends.
MHDSRIP
When the big hand is on ...
In a few hours when the big hand and the little hand are both pointing 'up' and the digitally run world is all on 'zero' the door will close for entries.
Alexander Graham Bell said "When one door closes, another opens ..." and for some on our waiting list midnight will mark the opening of their Rhodes Run adventure.
Invitations to the the second tranche from our waiting list hit the ether at a minute after midnight, opening the door to another excited (we hope!) and fit (they hope!) group who will join us in July.
The traditional 'substitution season' has not started and those waiting patiently on our Forum can hopefully expect to receive 'the call' over the coming weeks.
Of course not all doors in the village will close at midnight. Some doors in Rhodes are always open -
Only 'Snowflake' Numbers Should Do This
Only *Snowflake* number holders should do this.
Image: David Robertson - Rhodes Trail Run (Snowflake # 842)
Only those who have visited her a few times, have suffered on and under her, have felt all her moods from warm and comforting to wild, cold and downright miserable. Have cursed her as she put down pain on them. Have moved over her panting, short of breath, lungs pounding eardrums.
On meeting her for the fifth or fifteenth time it is always as it was on that first date - knees aquiver, glancing furtively at her face, pulse racing.
Novices and Mavis virgins take note. Even a frostbitten Snowflake holder treats her with the utmost respect and starts her gently. Only when you have visited her repeatedly will you have the confidence, and courage, to tease her. But tease her gently as her mood on race day could determine how comfortable Lesotho View, Hooggenoeg Ridge and Carlislehoek will be.
If we had a prize for the 'best entry form', which we don't have, there would be two in the running -
Entry Form #1
Indicate any allergies: Snow and cold weather
Indicate any medication you are taking; Sedgwick's Old Brown
Entry Form #2
Indicate any allergies: Mavis Bank Syndrome
Thanks Shane and Iain for sharing.
