Drama at Thule 4 Peaks presented by Salomon trail run

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Monday, 03 October 2011 13:06

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Emotional scenes at Thule 4 Peaks presented by Salomon

by Jazz Kuschke

“You are now a mountain runner,” said organiser Mike De Haast as the final competitor crossed the finish line of the Thule 4 Peaks Mountain Challenge presented by Salomon on Saturday, 1 October. It was 15:27 and the 183rd time he’d said the same thing. The first time was around 8:39 when local farm labourer Isaac Mazibuko raced across the line seconds ahead of Bloemfontein novice Karabo Mohase.

“Emotional scenes,” said race director Adrian Saffy that night as a slide show sequence (captured by photographer Craig Kolesky) of the close first/
second finish played out just before the prize giving. “I can’t think of a more fitting way for this race to have ended.” It was also the first time Saffy had seen the images, as he had been out on the course as sweeper all day (over nine-and-a-half hours). Coming in with the last competitors. Third place on the day, for the second year in a row went to Gerhard Uys in a time of 02:55:35. Salomon athlete Susan Sloan convincingly won the ladies race in a time of 03:43:35, finishing
16th overall.

More thank Four Peaks
“There really are more than four peaks,” joked Richard Downey, managing director of headline sponsor, Thule, at the prize giving. Downey was one of a number of novices to complete the 24-kilometre route slog up, over and along the mountain bowl that cradles Moolmanshoek Nature Reserve on the day.
The route was the same as in previous years, taking in the ‘Pyramid’ – a five-kilometre climb that gains 700 vertical metres as well as traversing the back of iconic Visierskerf Mountain along old Eland migration paths.

Due to heavy rains throughout the winter the grass was long and green which would make for tough-going and slower times than in previous years (the area was severely burnt in 2010) Clear skies and a light breeze greeted runners at the start, so despite a massive squall the previous day the mood was buoyant and enthusiastic. But with rain still a threat and because it’s an unsupported race, compulsory gear included a soft shell jacket, space blanket, whistle, and at least two-litres of water.

The weather held until mid-afternoon, seeing most of the field home dry. The 4 Peaks weekend is more than just a mountain run though, with entertainment for the whole family, including pony rides for the kids and a 24-kilometre mountain bike event on the Sunday. Unfortunately the mountain bike event had to be shortened to 16 kilometres due to heavy over-night rains. Competitors who finished both events received a special 24x24 medal. The MTB race was won by Alex Pope.