The Tygerberg AVBOB 15km had been arranged to start from the Pick ‘n Pay centre in Blouberg Road as in previous years.  This kinda race suits me down to the ground as it’s virtually on my doorstep.  It’s probably 5km’s from our house.  Heidi picked me up at 05h20 as we planned to park at the ABSA bank opposite the Bayside Mall.  Worked wonderfully for us last year, let’s park there again.  As we started walking towards Pick ‘n Pay Felicia and Bronwyn stopped and offered us a lift.  Which we very graciously accepted.  Within minutes there we were at the shopping centre standing in a queue to purchase our entry.  Cash only was the order of the day – no online purchases – strictly cash in exchange for a running number.

I do believe that the majority of runners that turned out for this race were from the West Coast AC.  Members that I knew, members that I didn’t know.  Familiar faces and some absolute strangers.  I’d be very interested to know if our club was the most represented?  Perhaps Bruce will know as he always has his finger on the pulse.

The race was delayed ever so slightly – by five minutes to be exact as the mist as so thick one could hardly see traffic on the R27.  The road we’d be running on.  But five minutes or not, certainly wasn’t going to cut it.  That mist was in and decided to stay put.  So the organizers threw caution to the wind and the countdown began.

Everyone was most cautious to leave the Pick ‘n Pay centre as the roads and parking area were wet with the road markings paint being especially slippery.  Once on the West Coast Road it was everyman for himself and simply a matter of running 15kms.  The route was pretty straightforward with running along the R27, turning left up the incline towards the Paddocks Shopping Centre, left again on to Koeberg Road then with a little zig zagging here and there it would be on to Pentz Drive and back to where we started.

Water tables were good and plentiful.  Marshalls played an integral part along the West Coast Road urging runners to stay within the cones.  Things were a little quieter as one passed the Paddocks and Milnerton Hospital but once on the Koeberg Road one really had to keep one’s wits about one.  Here the traffic is a little crazy.  There are plenty of taxis, cars going to work, cars coming home from work and homeless people living on the pavements.  This would be in the area of Theo Marais Sports Complex opposite the entrance to Makro.  Not my favourite stretch of road by any means but in past years it’s been included in the 15km and probably will continue to do so.

Back on to Blouberg Road albeit briefly before turning off and running left parallel to Gill Road – my namesake – from there it really was so straightforward with marshals pointing one in the right direction that being Pentz Drive.  Once passed the Penguin Rescue Centre it was downhill all the way into the Pick ‘n Pay Centre and voila we were back home again.

For crossing the line one could choose between a collectors glass or a medal.  I chose a glass and this would be my third one.  Watermelon had been sliced and diced and readily available to anyone that fancied this fruit of the day.  Personally, I think it’s a marvelous idea and the watermelon seems to go down well proving to be very popular.

I walked back down to the finish line in time to see Meg’s bus come on in, and boy did she have some passengers.  I believe there was lots of fun and laughter along the way – as there should be.  Meg brought her fellow runners in on exactly the predicted time of 2 hours.

We decided to stay for the prize giving after walking over to VidaE for a cup of tea/coffee.  Our own Club members showed off their colours taking podium places and receiving prizes for their efforts.  Sharon Nel and Luca Boyana and nothing less that forces of nature who love running and have the happy knack of making it look so easy.  It isn’t of course because these athletes train and train hard to be where they are.  So hats off to both of them and congratulations on your fabulous achievements.

With the prize giving over it was time for the lucky draw.  Wow kettles and toasters galore.  Some comforters, a couple of light up mirrors, socks and all sorts of odds and ends.  Now for the first time ever, the new Manager of the Pick ‘n Pay donated two vouchers of R500 each.  And guess what?  I won one of them.  Yup me.  I was so chuffed.  Just imagine how much Pepsi Max R500 can buy?

So all in all a good morning out.  The mist lifted.  We walked back to our car parked at ABSA and made our way home.  Stay safe out there peeps – Gill x