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Welcome
to event reporting throughout the Western Cape. We will
provide candid short reports on events based on the personal
experiences of the runner.
Dion Middelkoop Time-to-Run's
roving reporter
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The Day of Reconcile 16th December
Tuesday was a public holiday, The Day of Reconciliation,
and in the sprit of reconciliation we headed out to Gugulethu
for the 10km race. As nice as the 08h00 start sounds, in December
it can be a little hot. I know Weather Man Pete had said,
"it would be partly cloudy with a max of 20", well
he got it wrong.
It was clear, and already 20 at 07h45. After a couple of
strides, I lined up with the rest of the field. I don't run
my strides very hard, I normally just test my legs to see
if they can move at the desired pace. 3:30, or faster if the
ladies were moving. I didn't start fast, and took 500m to
pass the lead ladies.
At 1km they were just behind me, 3:19. It didn't feel that
fast, and I thought I might even be able to keep it up. We
turned of the "main" street headed up past shacks
on the left and cows grazing on the right!!! My 2nd km was
another 3:19... I caught a friend and passed him, trying to
take him with me, but he had gone out too fast and since we
passed the 3rd km in 10:05, I realised that I had also gone
out too fast.
We turned another corner and I looked back to see how Jason
was doing. He was doing just fine, tucked in behind the lead
lady, who was far too close for comfort. The race then got
scary as we crossed a road without a marshal, I had thought
they had done well till then. I was now losing time, but still
ahead of schedule, at 5km I had 13sec in the sub 35min bus.
I held the pace and didn't lose any time till 6, but then
lost it all between 6 and 7... It must have been seeing Tony
trying to manage a busy intersection on his own.
I had now let all my spare time out of the bag and a bit
of work was needed to keep me on track. Lucky for me the gentle
breeze was now from behind and I think it was even down hill!!!
Call me a methadone I came home in 3:29, 3:29 and wait for
it 3:29, giving me 34:59.
The course: 3. It's flat and one of the faster course around,
but it's gets a bit hot starting at 08h00 and traffic can
be a problem.
Marshals: 2. They started out well, but then some busy roads
didn't have any causing safety problems.
Handouts: 2. Medal, Coke & Energade I can't tell you what
the spot prizes were like.
Cost: R15.00
Value for money: 3. It's in line with other 10km races.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2/3. To hot, traffic
problems, but the sprit on the side of the road is good and
some runner had X-mass hats on and handed out sweets to the
kids.
My feeling about the race: 3/4. I love the vibe on the side
of the road.
Next week: Avbob 15km
The course: 3 It's flat and one of the faster course
around, but it's gets a bit hot starting at 08h00 and traffic
can be a problem.
Marshals: 2. They started out well, but then some busy
roads didn't have any causing safety problems.
Handouts: 2 Medal, Coke & Energade I can't tell
you what the spot prizes were like.
Cost: R15.00
Value for money: 3. It's in line with other 10km races.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2/3 Too hot,
traffic problems, but the spirit on the side of the road is
good and some runner had X-mas hats on and handed out sweets
to the kids.
Total score = 13 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3/4. I love the vibe on
the side of the road.
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