Southern Striders hosts the annual Tokai Manor House Run (16 km and 8km Fun Run) and this year the race was held on Sunday, 24 November 2024.
From its start in 1993 until 2014, the race was held at the Chrysalis Academy and ran up the mountain through the SANParks Tokai Forest Plantation. Unfortunately, a mountain fire devastated this route in 2015. As a result, since 2015, the race has been held at the Cape Academy of Maths and Science in Firgrove Way, with all proceeds of this race donated to the Academy.
The route going through the Tokai Greenbelts has proven to be very popular with runners and is now the new 16km route with a 8 km Fun Run option added in 2016.
We – being Issie, Paula, Sonja and I decided to enter this race because It’s always a good idea at the time. Sadly Sonja took ill which meant it would just be the three of us competing. And I use that term loosely as I only run to run not to compete . . . . ok well sometimes…..maybe?
After collecting Issie and Paula we drove through to Tokai and were on the road for 05h15. The roads were so quiet. In fact, I double checked to see if the race really was on and I hadn’t made a mistake? As if I would? The closer we got to Tokai the traffic picked up a little and the ever present baboons made their entrance strolling across the road as it belonged to them. Taking their sweet ass time with not a care in the world. Wow some of those male baboons are huge whilst the mama’s cuddled their little ones showing a softer side to this Tokai resident.
After parking the car we crossed the road and collected our numbers. Strangely enough the safety pins couldn’t have been any blunter and I really battled to attach my race number, be that as it may we didn’t exactly have much time on our hands to hang around, so it was off and over the road without delay. Just as well, for as we approached the start line the gun went off and there we were running in amongst the crowd. No time to stand and chat, or deliberate our strategy it was just a case of run run run.
The race started at 06h30 and the sun was already out in full force. A warm Sunday indeed. I must confess as I have before and will continue to do so, I am a road runner. The mere thought of trail running puts years on me and takes me right out of my comfort zone. This would be my third Tokai Manor House run but still I’m never quite prepared for what lies ahead. There are those sneaky underground roots hardly visible to the naked eye and just waiting for me to sprawl over. I’m what one would call a tripper. A day tripper in the words of Paul McCartney. Taking the easy way out. Paula was really kind and good enough to run either in front or behind me having experienced my tripping before. I actually ended up giving myself a headache from concentrating on my footwork. The paths were overgrown, narrow with loose twigs and stones, this really was giving me my monies worth.
The first water table was exactly that – water. No coke or any other choice of drink other than water. And oh boy was it welcome!. We were warned ahead of time however with the club asking one to carry one’s own water with self help refill stations along the way. The second water table wasn’t quite as organized being completely out of water, but they did offer an array of multi coloured shots as an alternative. Can you imagine? In that heat downing a couple of shots? Crikey, I’d be flat on my back! Fortunately, there was a spectator up ahead offering water to those running by. Me – I was one of them that took advantage of this offer and thanked him wholeheartedly!
Once through the first 8km’s it was time to do it all again. This was obviously for the 16km runners. A tiny bit different the second time around but just enough to remind me that road running really is my bag. Eventually after what seemed like a life time, I could see the finish line ahead. Thank goodness. I was absolutely finished.
There were a few Westies there – Dawie, Zita, Paula, Issie, Tracy Gooch, Nico, Mad Mike, Mari Schade, Anel Schade, Yolande Walton and our Samantha Knaggs…..and me. Please forgive me if your name hasn’t been included – I didn’t see you.
Once over the finish line, there was an abundance of coke, ice cold water and my second favourite to coke – blue energade. I love that stuff. Participants received an embroidered hand towel and a flavoured milk shake. Also present was the representative from Blue Ribbon Bread supplying soft white/brown/wholewheat squares. Very handy indeed. Very nice toasted. If there was a star sticker on the back on one’s plastic number holder, a prize would be yours for the taking. And no, none of us won anything?
Home time. YAY – now it was hotter than ever. Home for a swim and/or a shower. And feet up. For the day. Yup, the entire day. Thanks very much to the Southern Striders for organizing this race, it was a toughie!
As always peeps for whoever actually reads this, it is my opinion and mine only without purposefully causing umbrage to anyone. A lot if not most of my ramblings is definitely tongue in cheek! Stay safe out there and on two feet. Till next time – Gill x
