She's but a wisp of a thing.
Stunningly beautiful in the dusky orange early morning light, diamond drops sparkling the trail where mountain rhebuck visited.
But, she can strike fear into the hearts of many, and once conquered never forgotten.
In 29 years only four runners have covered the 21km to the Mavis Top Check Point in less than two hours.
Approaching Mavis, you will cross the Kloppershoekspruit for the last time at an altitude of about 2150 meters above sea level (masl). The actual route on race day to this point will depend on prevailing conditions, and dare we say the mood of the Route Director. From the river it is an easy run of about 350m, depending on where you cross the river, to the first fence which marks the start of Mavis Bank. A marginal altitude gain of about 50m from the river to the fence.
A pleasant stop for that obligatory photograph with the banner.
Then the climb up Mavis.
The distance from the fence line to the Check Point is (only) 810m during which you will gain about 275m in altitude, reaching thin-air at the Check Point positioned at 2445 masl.
Before the Check Point, some 510m up Mavis you will cross a second fence line at about 2400 masl.
Another photo opportunity.
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The cut-off at the Mavis Top Check Point is 4½ hours. Should you be in the Kloppershoek valley or on Mavis and hear the siren you have missed the cut-off and will be taking a vehicle back to Rhodes.
First male and female to reach the Check Point receive the King/Queen of the Kloof Trophy.
Those pushing the cut-off limits would want at least 50 minutes in the bag or more depending on their 'condition', to cover the 810m of Mavis Bank.
Yup, nearly an hour for 810m. There is a possibility that this could be one of your slowest 800m 'runs'.
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| Images: Craig Muller | Backyard Adventures |
Data: Andrew Raubenheimer, multiple Flag Team #1 & #2 member and 'Snowflake' 711
