Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 55, February 2014 | Page 37

Race Report

Going Wild for Trail
Spur Cape Summer Trail Series #1, Cape Town, Western Province, 17 January

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t was business as usual for Bernard Rukadza as he
picked up where he left off in the 2013 Spur Winter
Series Championship, by winning the tough 12.7km long
course, with Danette Smith taking top honours in the
women’s field. Meanwhile, the winner of the 2013 Spur
Winter Trail Series Short Course Challenge, Raydon Balie,
was also at it again, winning the 8km in a superb time of
38:51. Hayley Preen (15) outclassed the 8km women’s
field to win in a time of 41:47 and also take third overall
on the day!

Chantal Nienaber on her way to
second in the long race.

This first race in the series really blew away the last
remaining Festive Season cobwebs, leaving the runners
looking forward to the next three races on 29 January
(Constantia, Cape Town), 2 February (Lebanon Forest,
Grabouw) and 23 February (Oak Valley, Elgin).

Images: Dylan Haskin

On an incredible evening in the Mother
City, more than 900 trail runners showed
up to run the first of four races in the
2014 Spur Cape Summer Trail Series,
organised by Wild Runner Events. The
beautiful Tygerberg Nature Reserve was
at her sparkling best under an almost full
moon and absolutely perfect conditions
for an evening trail run.

For results, photos and more info on the rest
of the series, visit www.trailseries.co.za.

Images: Gill Fordyce

Race Advertorial

Head for the Highlands
On 1 March, the third running of the Highlands Trout Mountain
Challenge Marathon, Half Marathon & 5km Fun Run at Katse
Dam in Lesotho will take place, proudly hosted by Highlands Trout
in association with nine-time Comrades winner Bruce Fordyce.

B

reathtaking scenery, blue skies and
towering mountains reflected in crystal clear
water… this is the Highlands Trout Mountain
Challenge, an ideal Comrades training run
at an altitude of 2000 to 2500m, with long
punishing hills. It could claim to be one of
the toughest races in the world, and the
highest in Africa, but the course has its
compensations.

Apart from the majestic surroundings,
runners will experience running across
the highest dam wall in Southern Africa,
and they will be thrilled by refreshment
stations manned by local villagers, all
determined to share their legendary warm
hospitality. Then after the run, runners will
enjoy a post-race cruise across the dam to
the prize giving in Katse village.

TRAVEL TIPS
•

•
Visitors to the dam can enjoy boating,
fly fishing, pony trekking and great
birding, as well as a fascinating tour
of the dam wall, so sign up for an
unforgettable weekend away for the
whole family, with a great run as part
of it.

For more information, call
Bruce on 011 726 2867 or
download an entry form at
www.highlandstrout.co.za.

•
•
•

•

Fuel supplies in Lesotho
are unreliable, so make
sure that your car has a full
tank when you cross the
border.
It is 150km from the
Ficksburg border post to
the Katse Dam, but due to
the mountain passes this
will take you three hours’
travel time.
The border crossing
requires a valid passport.
The speed limit through
villages is 50km/h.
Recommended
accommodation at dam at
Orion Katse Lodge
(www.oriongroup.co.za/
katse-location.html)

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