Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 55, February 2014 | Page 18

My Story Running Through The raucous band at the finish welcomed all the 10km runners in. A small Turkish town with a beautiful lakeside setting and an intriguing history makes for a marvellous running experience, as Derek Luyt discovered when he took part in the Iznik Ultra with partner Debbie Bruinders. W e arrived in Iznik on an overcast Saturday afternoon, reeking of the scented hand-cleaner that Turkish minibus crews dispense to all passengers. We had not planned to run here – we only learnt of the race after making our travel arrangements – but for runners who travel, costly changes to flights and hotel bookings are a small price to pay to race through one of the world’s most historic towns. Iznik was originally known as Nicea, and was renamed when it was captured by the Muslim Seljuks in 1075. As Nicea, Iznik was an important centre of the Christian Byzantine Empire, and was described as the third Holy City of Christendom after Jerusalem and Rome. Iznik was also the capital of the young Ottoman Empire, and produced the world’s most coveted ceramics during the 16th and 17th centuries. Images: Derek Luyt And so we arrived as participants in the two-day festival of running comprising four events, three starting together: The 130km Iznik Ultra run around the beautiful lake, the 80km Orhangazi Ultra halfway around the lake, and the tough 42km Mountain Marathon, which climbs over a thousand metres. For lesser runners like me, there is a 10km run through the town, held the following day. Early the next morning, I headed to the town centre where the longer events start and finish. Only the four race helpers were there to watch as a lone runner emerged from the dawn mist. A smile flitted briefly over her weathered face as she crossed the finish line, then she disappeared... a most understated ending for someone who had just spent 23 hours running 130km. But then this was Bakiye Duran, Turkey’s female ultra pioneer, whose recently published biography is aptly entitled Courage is Solitary. NOISY START Later, when Debbie and I wandered up to the start of the 10km, the town centre was thumping and a joyfully raucous marching band threaded through the milling spectators. It came to a halt behind the field of nearly 300 runners from 17 nations waiting to begin. Above the 18 ISSUE 55 FEBRUARY 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za Sunset over Iznik Lake. buzzing din, a chanted countdown began, indicating the seconds: “iki… bir… sıfır!”… and the stampede began! We started near the back, as we always do, and Debbie soon allowed me to drift ahead. A woman looking like an advert from a running magazine gear section kept pace in my vicinity, and she glanced so frequently at the large contraption on her wrist that she failed to notice the huge banner warning of the steps leading down past the 14th century Green Mosque. Narrowly averting disaster and recovering her stride with great aplomb, she consulted her wrist contraption less frequently as we ran past the Iznik Archaeological Museum. SA’s Debbie Bruinders winning her age category. In the side streets, local farmers waited patiently astride their muddy tractors for the runners to pass. I suspect they were enjoying the distinctly un-Turkish spectacle of semi-naked people running in public. Cutting through the town walls at the Yenisehir Gate, a short stretch of gravel road brought us to the lakefront road leading to the turnaround near the halfway mark. We passed the palace of Constantine the Great, where the Nicene Creed, core of the most widely shared Christian orthodoxy, was drawn up in 325 AD, and when I swung round the turn, I saw Debbie was not too far behind, looking good (as always). NOISIER FINISH We headed back down the lakefront, took a final left turn past the deserted gardens of the Talya Café, and cruised comfortably up a gentle tree-lined incline to the finish in the centre of town. The marching band formed a guard of honour for the runners and the crowd completed the carnival atmosphere. Although the band greeted all female finishers with heightened gusto, Debbie received a particularly ear-shattering welcome. Only later did we understand the reason for this: She had finished first in her age category. At noon we joined the fun of the marvellously colourful prize-giving, including a stirring performance of sword and shield dancing. Back at our hotel the manager was standing at the front door. “Number One!” he said, greeting Debbie with a cheerful smile. Later, at the restau