Friday 21st March 2025
Hosted by Van Der Merwe & Robertson Durbanville Athletics Club
As per usual we try to organize a lift club up front which obviously enables us to travel together not only to save on fuel and parking but for safety reasons too. Heidi would drive to mine, we’d then drive together to Paula and collect her and Sonja. With the four of us tucked into my car we made our way off to Tygervalley. Avoiding Dunoon at all costs our route would take us down Blouberg Road, right at Caltex and then a left out of Table View. Travelling that early on a public holiday proved to be an absolute breeze with us reaching Bothasig before we knew it. Up and over the mountains and hey presto, there we were at Tygervalley. With not too much time on our hands we took the first available parking then off we walked to the start line. Until we heard shouts over the megaphone that the race would be starting in just 3 seconds. You’ve never seen us move that quickly ever!! We literally ran into the race. A bit of dejavu here as I have a sneaky suspicion the exact same thing happened at PPC? Be that as it may we joined in with the hundreds of other runners who were trying desperately to cross the start line. Wow congestion as it’s best! Not sure if the organizers envisaged so many entries but really it was very very crowded indeed.
Eventually we crossed the start line and off we went. We have adopted a habit of not running together which seems to suit us as we’re not looking back – or ahead – to see whoever is wherever? To start with at the Tyger Run, there is a never ending – yes never ending hill that just goes on and on. Jip de Jager if I’m not mistaken? It’s so steep and so long that at one km in, there’s a water table. Cones were set out alongside the road and the marshals encouraged one to stay within these markers. But with the volume of runners one couldn’t help but spill over onto the road and outside the cones. Being daylight it helped tremendously as the race started at 06h45.
Similar to that of the Tygerberg 30km, if one has had the pleasure of running Wietse the route was all too familiar. No surprises. This would be a hilly run no doubt about it. But once at the top of the long and winding road, there was a little relief with some flat road offered. Here I have to admit not only did my nose need a good blow, but my legs needed a little walk. Just a little one. Eventually after what seemed like a life time we came across a water table. Here it was a case of grabbing a cup – or two – and running off with the coke in one’s hand. More hills. More flats. More up and more downs. I’d picked up a relatively good tempo and didn’t want to undo what I was doing, so it really was a case of just carrying on regardless with the end in sight.
I have never before run in such strange weather conditions. It was similar to running in Durban but much much worse. The humidity was almost unbearable with most runners using any water they came across to douse themselves down. It was uncomfortably hot with no airflow whatsoever.
Coming into the finish with the marshals ushering one into a specific lane of either 10 or 15km, I was happy enough to finish the race. It was really quite doable and yes I’ve done this race a couple of times before.
Well organized yes. But lacking water tables – a definite yes! I remember three to my knowledge and with the weather being as it was, three tables were definitely not enough, especially with the amount of athletes in attendance. It was pretty strange at the finish line coke table too? As when we’d finished running folk were super thirsty and tried to get something more to drink, but the refreshment peeps were having none of it. We finally found a soft soul who’s resistance crumbled when we approached him on bended knee. The drinks were actually laid out on the table for the taking – plenty and plenty of cokes had already been poured. More than enough for everyone. But anyway we got our drinks and joined in for the lucky draw. Not so lucky as we received a phone call from Paula and Sonja to say that they had made their way to the car.
Now it was Heidi’s and my turn to find this confounded vehicle. What is it with me and the lack of direction. Honestly I could get lost in my back garden. So Paula and Sonja left the car and came to rescue us as we were roaming around like nomads looking for a place to squat.
There were so many West Coasters. Some ran the 10 whilst others ran the 15km. But out in force we were. Such a good show of red, white and blue vests. Again, I met some folk I’d never seen before and all I have to do now is remember their names. Along with where I parked my car 😊
A good morning. Uneventful. Well organized – but not enough water tables. Thank you Van Der Merwe & Robertson Durbanville Athletics Club