Saturday 14th June 2025
With Saldanha being a good 100 km’s from us (Paula/Sonz/me) we decided to leave home at 05h30. A perfect arrangement. Paula would be driving and after collecting me from mine it was onto the West Coast Road en route Saldanha.
Sitting in the back of the car is definitely a bonus. Whilst Paula and Sonz engaged in conversation I was able to nod off and what seemed like a few minutes, we arrived at our destination. Voila! Trip was over and we now had time on our hands.
We decided to walk down to the field where gazebos had been erected and very nearly got blown down a flight of drift wood stairs. Lots of concentration needed here. It was dark and the stairs were inconsistent, wobbly and uneven. A very kind youngster lent me his arm and with just a few more steps to go, I was down on level ground. Being that early, we had first dibs on the porta loo ablutions. Far from our favourite for sure, but when needs must! After a walk around the area, we decided to return to the car in hope of escaping the wind. This worked marvelously. There we were sat all warm and snuggled up waiting for day light and a closer time to the start of 08h00.
Eventually it was time. Time to venture down once again and head to the start of the race. Only to be told that it was at least a km walk to the newer start line so we really had to put foot which happened to warm us up at the same time. Once there, it was undecided which route and/or direction we’d be heading but after a briefing and the announcement of the race starting a few minutes later, we’d run 1 km down the road, make a U turn and then complete the remaining 20km.
It was quite a relief to hear the gun going off as it was damn chilly standing around waiting to get this race started. Somewhere along the line, somebody happened to miscalculate the distance of the 21km and after reaching the 1st km, there was a sign indicating 2km. So, it was a sure bet we’d lose a km along the way. And we did.
The road running was a little bit different this year as the route had changed somewhat. This makes no difference to me whatsoever as long as the distance is the same? The route took us down a lovely long hill – knowing that we’d have to climb this on our way back – and into the harbour. Once through the harbour, we encountered a rough, loose stoney road that would add to our distance. Taxing. Yes taxing. The wind was really up now and we ran on the road which divided the ocean. Quite lovely to look at but really nippy!
I’d say this stoney road was about 5km’s in distance. 5km’s too long in my humble opinion but with this behind us – thankfully – it was time to make the turn. The turn that would take us home. Back to the beginning.
We passed Trudy and Graham on the road as they had opted to tackle the 10km. Graham did exceptionally well taking a podium place. Gee well done Graham!
Paula and I ran the entire 20km together. From beginning to end. And it was awesome. We chatted a little, not a lot. And when things got a bit tough, we’d count the lamp posts then have a little walk. The water tables were quite impressive. Overflowing with Energade – the blue one yum yum – water sachets and yes COKE! So, nobody can complain of going thirsty. And the most delicious slices of fresh oranges. Now they were an absolute bonus. I needed a shower after eating those, so juicy and very necessary on a windy run 😊
We ran up the very last hill to home and once at the top it was a matter of a km or so till we crossed the finish line. We entered the field and slogged around the cordoned off area eventually crossing the finish line with a very big sigh of relief. Still not 21km though. Just over 20km actually. But a good run nevertheless.
The queue for coffee and pancakes reached back to the harbour so unfortunately, we had to give these treats a miss, even though we’d burnt over 1000 calories. We headed back up to the car with our medals proudly hanging around our necks and into the car. The warm and cosy car. We stopped at the One Stop for a hot drink before we reached the West Coast Road and proceeded to drive home.
Thanks to Paula who drove us there and back. And thanks to Saldanha Health Run for organizing this event.
