Sunday 1st December – count down to Christmas!
Robben Island Museum 10km Memorial Run
Probably one of the most talked about 10kms known to mankind? Well it was in our circle anyway.
The public had been advised that the Robben Island Museum 10km Memorial Run would be open for entries on 1st November and quite honestly I was ready and waiting to do exactly that. So on 1st November I registered, paid and secured an entry in that order. The cost would be R475.00 with an extra R40.00 service fee so the total amounted to R515.00. Come to think of it, not bad as far as race entry prices go? For this sum, one would sail out of the Waterfront across to Robben Island, receive a bottle of water, run/walk or skip around the island covering 10km, receive a goody bag, receive a Tshirt and sail back from Robben Island to the Waterfront.
Before taking off on the ferry Krotoa, Janine offered me over the counter medication to help with sea sickness/water anxiety. I’ll be ever grateful to Janine as once I chose a seat at the rear of the boat and settled in, I dozed off and woke up entering Robben Island. Those tablets are definitely worth their weight in gold I tell you.
With everyone ashore, one was ushered around a building or two to where the tog bag drop off was and the water bottle station was situated. Runners were grouped as per their ferry ride offering one and all an opportunity to enjoy the 10km without any pressure.
Water bottle in place, I headed off on my sightseeing tour of the island. One of the first stops I made was at the leprosarium cemetery dating back to the 1800’s when people with leprosy were banished to the island between 1846 and 1931. Most of the headstones were really illegible after being there for years and years being weather beaten and uncared for. I spent a few moments there offering up prayers for their souls that they might rest in peace.
A little further on one will come across the Church of the Good Shepard constructed of stone. Initially used by men inflicted with leprosy but abandoned in 1931. In 1942 it was refurbished and reconsecrated as the Naval Church. It is now used for special services and commemorative events.
There is actually plenty to see and do on Robben Island. The primary school was built for the white children of residents and warders living on the island. It has since been forced to close it’s doors. Needless to say the view from Robben Island is quite spectacular and if one wanders down to where the old cannon is, one can enjoy an unspoilt view of Table Mountain.
A couple of houses are still inhabited with approximately 150 residents. I certainly wouldn’t sneeze at staying on the Island if not for the choppy water that separates one from the mainland. The roads are still passable and I’ve seen worse here in some areas in our own city.
After completing the 10km tour of the island I met up with the girls and took a tour of the inside of the prison. My initial visit was way back in 1996 and then we had access to Nelson Mandela’s cell. Nothing much has changed. The cells are still tiny and I would imagine one received the absolute bare minimum without much privacy. We ventured through to the kitchen and once again the menu really was as insipid as it could be and it depended too on one’s ethnicity? Mealie meal 6 ounces (three quarters of a cup) for breakfast. Some however received 12 ounces (a full cup). So absolutely everything was measured, weighed and rationed. Tin plates were the order of the day without exception.
In one of the courtyards a vegetable patch had been initiated by one of the inmates who successfully managed to grow tomatoes, onions potatoes and TWO watermelon!
With our 10km run/walk behind us now and a tour of the prison and prison ground complete, it was time to head back to our ferry – once again Krotoa. Super comfy, leather seats and extremely spacious too. Once aboard, I put my head back and once again that little white tablet did it’s magic with me waking up entering the Waterfront.
The organization of this event was no small feat. But it worked like clockwork and hats off to the organizers who delivered a superb day. Including the weather which was just spectacular.
I decided before we left the Waterfront that I would take a solo walk this time round. And that’s exactly what I did. It gave me time to ponder, meditate, consider many things and be eternally grateful for where I am now.
Take good care out there peeps – see you Gill x
