It was with great uncertainty that the participants in this year’s
LOSKOP MARATHON travelled to Loskop on Friday, having been warned by the
weather reports that we could expect rain on Saturday, we still did not know
what to expect. We don’t exactly do “wet weather training” so when the heavens
opened around midnight we knew we were in for a long wet day.
I’m sure Loskop is the earliest wake up of any of the races
we do, 3am the alarms went off and we staggered out our tents in the rain to
get prepared for a day of Survival out in the cold wet rain. With great
handfuls of Vaseline smeared into all possible areas that could even possibly chafe
we made our way to the start.
The first 10km or so looked promising with bright sky in the
distance, but any hopes of the day clearing were dashed when it slowly got
darker and gloomier and the rain started to fall. From then it wasn’t a case of
for how long it would rain, but rather how hard, wet & cold it would be and
how hard the wind would blow. I truly asked myself what makes right minded
people voluntarily run 50km in the rain and snow (well it felt like snow OK
!!!) And apparently the 21km wasn’t any easier as they had deep muddy ruts and
rivers to negotiate.
But as always the LOSKOP runs were very well organised and spare a thought for the marshals and water point volunteers who got up just as early and then stood in the rain and cheered us on, without helpers like that these races would not be possible ( so we must all help at our races too )
It was great to finish at Loskop Dam and head towards our
NEDBANK gazebo and get a nice hot boerie roll and beer from “Boss” Steve &
“I want to stay!” Janine and other club helpers, you guys were saviour’s thank
you.
Fortunately for those brave campers who stayed the rain
stopped in the late afternoon, slowly people crawled out from their tents and gathered
around the fires we had going, then the second part of SURVIVOR LOSKOP 2013
started as we had a well-deserved kuier around the fire, with music and braai
going on we all had a great time, most pushed through till around 10pm and the
“beverages” had run out.
Sunday saw us pack up and head home with another great run
behind us, runs like this can only make one stronger. Well done to all who were
brave enough and compete in the LOSKOP
2013 SURVIVOR RUNS !!!
Captain Paul
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| Coral & Sandy |
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| Paul and Elsa |
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