A wet, windy and miserable weekend lay ahead for the John Korasie 30km. I had to wonder if the organizers – SANDF Athletic Club – would do the honours and put this race on hold? But on Sunday morning Sonz arrived at our house bright and early as Carl had offered to drive us through to Simons Town. Eternally grateful for this offer we accepted it with both hands as it wasn’t only dark but it was pouring with rain too joined by a howling wind. Quite some combination! On the way to Simons Town the weather definitely deteriorated the closer we got to this quant naval base. Carl suggested that if the race was cancelled, we’d be off having a fabulous breakfast somewhere. Hhhhmmm tempting.
Once we arrived in Simons Town and yes it was still raining, Carl was on the look out for parking. The roads were busy with like minded runners on the search for that empty available bay. To avoid wasting time Carl dropped us off at the top of the entrance to Simons Town Sports Grounds in Martello Road. Sonz and I made our way down the hill greeting fellow West Coasters en route the ever important ablutions. The queue was already a mile long with folk huddled together trying to escape the cold nasty wind blowing straight through one. At last it was time to venture off to the start and with that said it was almost like an off button had been pushed to stop the rain. There it was gone. Dry as a bone. That elusive breakfast that Carl had offered was now a thing of the past. A mere pipe dream. Something that just wasn’t going to happen.
The race. The route. Both infamous. This would be my third John Korasie. One would think I would have learned my lesson the first time. But no, here I was back for yet another dose of agonizing hill climbs! After the first 3km’s of normal, pleasant flat tar road we took a sharp left to our first climb. And what a climb it was. I mean really? The elevation of the highest point was 253 meters. That’s quite some height I’d say, in anyone’s books. And this would bring the runners to a distance of 10km. Oh my goodness, still 20km’s to go. The upside I suppose is that what goes up must come down. And that’s exactly what happened. A long steep downhill of 6km’s.
Once down however it was time to go up again. This time the hill wasn’t quite as steep as the previous one – thank goodness – with an elevation of just 148 meters at the 20km mark. From that point onwards it really was downhill. Granted there were a few bumps here and there but the two major hills were now behind us.
From the very get go, I saw the sole of Sonz shoes and would only get to see here again waiting for me at the finish line. Our Sonz runs on a full battery all the time, every time. I did come across Mad Mike and his running buddy where we stopped for photo’s and a chat. But they too left me standing. The scenery on this run was nothing less than spectacular. We must live in the most beautiful city in the world. The views offered on John Korasie are just second to none. Waterfalls cascading down the mountain side with runners popping over to enjoy a drink. Exquisite to say the very least. Water stations along the way? – plentiful and well stocked with a variety of ice cold water and . . . . yes, Coke! Marshals were super friendly, supportive and on point. Baboons – well yes they were there too. I must admit to being a little nervous when I met the first one and picked up my pace to run alongside the chap in front of me. But there were more to come. Plenty actually. A complete little family including the cutest of baby baboons. Relieved of course that they were over on the opposite side of the road.
As time went on, and it did, perhaps a little longer than I anticipated, I knew I was on the home stretch. I found this run to be extremely taxing and simply must take my hat off to everyone who managed to finish. How on earth the front runners do this is really anyone’s guess. But congratulations to you all!
Coming in over the finish line was an absolute relief. John Korasie has seen a few sides of me. Happy, confident and then of course fed up, exhausted, walking, muttering and not holding out too much hope. But finish I did. Even though loads of runners were in already and had probably left to go home. Having said that, yes i’ll probably – God willing – do it all again next year. When i’m 70!
I must add that this is my personal view and opinion of John Korasie and I mean no offence to anyone whatsoever.
See you soon again on the road – Gill