Chapman’s Peak Half Marathon is a stunning run along Chapman’s Peak Drive to Noordhoek and back to Hout Bay. Chapman’s Peak Drive was closed to traffic. The use of Chapman’s Peak Drive however is at your own risk. Please note the possibility of rock falls and the danger associated in addition to that.
• Start Venue: Velocity Gym Address: Corner Chapmans Peak Dr & Beach Crescent, Hout Bay
• Finish Venue: Kronendal Primary School
Who on earth thought it would be a good idea to run a couple of races back to back? And not 10km races either – no, had to be 21kms. Well I suppose this type of decision is taken when all resistance crumbles and it’s in for a penny, in for a pound! And that’s exactly what we did. We entered the Voet van Afrika knowing that the Chapman’s Peak half was the very next day. Gluttons for punishment some might say.
Sunday morning 03h45. Oh my goodness, I had planned to meet the girls at the Total Garage in Blouberg for 04h30 and had just 30 minutes to do my thang before waking Carl up to take me there. Arrived in good time to find Paula, Sonja, Karen and Mandy as we would be travelling to Hout Bay in one car. Meg was delayed somewhat and had to resort in driving through by herself.
Once in Hout Bay we parked and made out way over to the coffee shop who appeared to be doing a roaring trade with the runners filling up on caffeine before hitting the hills. This would be my very first Chappies 21km. Whilst chatting to Mandy she suddenly announced that she had spotted Gerda Steyn. Yes THE Gerda Steyn. I tell you something, my feet didn’t touch the ground. Mandy and I headed straight over to this beautiful human running machine and we introduced ourselves immediately. I did suggest that we could be cousins? Distant relatives perhaps? Doubt she bought any of that drivel! But WOW such a gracious friendly gal our Gerda Steyn is. It really was such a pleasure and yes an honour to be standing side by side with her have our photo’s taken. Gerda must really have the patience of Job because every man and his dog were asking for photo’s.
Meg arrived and hey presto she literally saved my bacon. My poor legs were tired from yesterday’s half marathon but Meg was a pace setter for a 3 hour finish. It would have been so rude not to join her bus. This was definitely the best idea and my saving grace. Paula chose to run with Issie whilst Sonja . . . . well Sonja runs with Sonja. I have tried without success to run alongside speedy Gonzales but to no avail. So really it’s a case of live and let live. Mandy had opted to run the 12km which was scheduled to start 07h10.
Our 21km race was due to start off at 06h30. I’m afraid that 06h30 came and went. There was a little activity ahead with a chap announcing something on his microphone but what we heard was totally unintelligible? A good ten minutes later, the gun went off and so did we. My goal was to stick with Meg and stick to Meg. Karen joined in on Meg’s bus as did about a dozen others. Popular bus this was with Meg in the driver’s seat. Taking direction from a note in her hand, Meg was able to shout out when to walk, when to speed it up a little, when to take a break at the water stations and when to put those arms up and breath deeply!! So this bus was working for me.
We started running up Chappies but I was totally relaxed and felt so confident knowing that Meg had this entire route planned and sorted. The half marathon would take 3 hours. Nothing more, nothing less. We did lose a couple of passengers along the way but mostly they stayed put especially for the first half.
The scenery. The scenery was beyond beautiful. And we live here, right here amongst this beauty. How fortunate are we? Visitors to our coast line must think we are very very lucky fish indeed!
Running up the hill when suddenly a gust of wind nearly blew us off our feet. I don’t think I’ve ever experience anything quite like it. It was the gusts of all gusts. It took Meg’s cap off and blew her flag out of her back pack. It really was quite hectic. But strangely enough it seemed to be short lived and stopped the minute we turned the next corner. Not too much of that thank you. Counting the km’s as we ran along it was time to make a U turn at the bottom of the hill. Now to run up the hills that we’ve just run down? I do however feel some sense of achievement once I’ve reached half way and there are athletes that haven’t quite reached that point yet. This was not an easy race. No one said it was. But the spectacular views, the atmosphere and the leadership from Meg helped make this a race to remember.
Refreshment stations along the way were the absolute best. Plentiful offering oranges, fruit bars, water, yes my favourite coke and now hear this . . . . beer. Yes beer! That was a first for me. Not that I had any, it was a first for me to come across it. Looked as though it was going well too. Many folk threw their PB’s to the wind and stopped to take photo’s, us included. Lot’s of photo’s taken. This race impressed me no end. A keeper for sure.
Meg kept her eye on the instruction sheet and honestly before we knew it, we were being ushered up a small trail path, no longer than 500 meters then back on to the tar road. This road would take us into the school grounds and the finish line. I wasn’t exhausted or spent, just a feeling of well that’s done now. A back to back done. Once again Paula and Sonja had to wait for me to finish, but with Karen this time too.
A very well organized run. Very good indeed. Next year, God willing, I’ll be back to tackle another Chapman’s Peak half marathon. Well done Hout Bay Harriers.
Thanks to Paula who drove us through to Hout Bay. Thanks to Meg for driving the three hour bus. I can never stress enough how much I enjoyed this ride and this run. And finishing off I always add, this is my personal opinion and not meant to annoy or insult anyone. Take good care out there. Gill x