PPC Riebeek Plant
Riebeek West
Saturday 17th August 2024
Full marathon (42.2km) – R270 Start time: 07h30
Half marathon (21.1km) – R160 Start time: 08h00
Run/Walk (10km) – R100 Start time: 08h30
Fun run/walk (5km) – R30 Start time: 08h45
Riebeek West is a small town situated about 75 km north-east of Cape Town and 5 km north of its twin town Riebeek Kasteel. General Jan Christiaan Smuts was born on the farm Bovenplaats, two km north of Riebeek West on 24 May 1870. Today there is a cement factory on Bovenplaats, but the house in which Smuts grew up is preserved as a national monument. Allesverloren has become a renowned wine estate with a restaurant.
The Riebeek Valley is known for its wheat, wines, and more recently, olives. The Olive Festival is held annually early in May and the Berg River Canoe Marathon passes there in July.
And most importantly of course, the ever popular PPC Berg Marathon is held annually in August, this being it’s 36th year.
An easy drive through to Riebeek West from our neck of the woods would take us approximately – give or take – an hour? And so we decided – we being Sonja, Paula and I, to gather at mine and leave for 06h30. Not quite daylight yet, one has to be super diligent on the West Coast Road and even more so on the N7 heading towards Malmesbury. No need to stop en route as before we knew it we were turning off to Riebeek West and being directed by marshals as where to park.
As usual our first port of call would be the ablutions. Off we went only to find not only the queue to the porta loo’s as long as one’s arm but that of the queue to the bathroom’s exactly the same. Now by this time we were starting to get a tiny bit nervous as time was marching on and we were counting the minutes to start this race. Fortunately there was an extremely well organized young woman at the bathroom entrance who shouted for the 21km runners to come forward and get in as quickly as one could then make a dash for the start line. Given preference we were. And so very grateful! We literally ran towards the start line with four seconds to spare with the gun going off as we fell into the crowd. Talk about cutting it fine.
Now why I wonder does a race have to start off on a hill? PPC being no exception. By the time I’d completed the first 1km my elevation level was already peaking. Thank goodness there was a good flat(ish) road ahead. There was such a good turn out. I managed to tuck in behind Paula for the first 10km then as so many times before, I got lost in the dust and plodded on with someone else that I could keep up with. You know, I really have to sing the praises and congratulate the PPC Berg Marathon organizers being the Swartland Athletic Club and PPC Ltd. One could virtually see coke and water tables from one to the next. There must have been a space of no more than 2km’s between each refreshment table. A slight exaggeration perhaps, but seriously anyone that went thirsty on this run needs a good talking to! The route was well manned by friendly marshals, some of them with young off spring offering the water sachets before and well after the tables.
I really enjoy country runs. County folk are so unassuming, pleasant and willing to just be as courteous as they can be. An absolute joy to be around. And the youngsters always bring a smile to my face. Being a more mature runner I get words of encouragement shouted to me – net so mummy, net so. And of course the good old favourite – hou bene hou.
We were so fortunate with the weather. Dry as a bone to start off with then a very fine low cloud drizzle just enough to dampen one’s tshirt and ruin the straightest of hair.
The route was awesome. Straightforward but definitely not flat but scenic nevertheless if one look’s up. I tend not to as I have a nasty habit of tripping or running off in another direction?
We got to run through the tiny town of Riebeek West which boasted a number of shops plus that of what I can only imagine to be the NG Kerk? Being a Saturday morning there were quite a few shoppers about, all willing to cheer us on and offer their ten cents worth.
Then came a down hill of note. I stand to be corrected by I’m sure it went by the name of Heuwel Street. Running down this steep hill actually hurt my toes as they thumped against the front of my shoes. But you know what they say – what goes down must come up? And up it did. Oh my goodness. I tried. I really did, but that hill was just bigger than me. Eventually, after what seemed like a life time, I reached the top and that marked the half way mark. Now it was time to run home.
A little more misty weather was on the cards, but really nothing to write home about. By this time, I was dividing my time between a run, a walk, a shuffle and anything else that would get me across the finish line. The end was now in sight. Once through and under the huge red blow up inflatable it was a matter of putting my head down and mustering up the hill – last one thank goodness – and hey presto it was all done. 21km’s worth of running the PPC Berg Marathon in Riebeek West. Sonja and Paula had already crossed the finish line – naturally – and were kind enough to wait on the side line and cheer me through. Once all together again, we didn’t hang around. We had places to go, people to see and quite honestly there was a sofa with my name on it.
Personally, I recommend this marvelous race. It’s virtually on our doorstep. And if one doesn’t fancy an early morning drive through, there is some wonderful accommodation on offer. I do know that Trudy, Graham and Adele entered and completed the 10km after spending Friday night there. David Johnson completed the 21km. And Willie ran the marathon. I spotted Mari Schade on the 21km. And other than that the West Coasters were a bit thin on the ground.
I’m just about done now but I cannot emphasize enough how well this race had been organized. Absolutely no stone left unturned. Will I do it again next year, yes please. God willing I’ll be back.
I have to add that this is purely my point of view and I’m not out to offend anyone with my ramblings. See you on the road – take care and stay safe – Gill x