The route runs through the pristine game reserve in the Waterberg District and as the name suggest its run in Big 5 territory with rangers out to “marshal” the more dangerous animals. The race itself is organised by a Danish travel company and attracts a large overseas contigent.
On the 12th July, Ian and Tony travelled down to the remote North Eastern Cape town of Rhodes for the 20th edition of the Rhodes Trail Run (formerly known as the Rhodes Ultra Marathon). Entry to this race is purely by invitation and people have been known to be on the waiting list for upwards of 7 years. Fortunately, substitutions are relatively freely available. 326 people started the race at 07:00 that saw temperatures hover around the - 14 degree mark.
Ian, having decided to rather take it easier this year finished an impressive 7th, whilst Tony ran at a more sedate pace and crossed the line in 40th.
According to the inhabitants of Rhodes it was too cold to actually snow however water pipes froze solid during the nights and only defrosted around lunch-time. Although there wasn't any snow in the town itself, there was plenty on the race route and in the valleys and mountains where the race traversed.
(photo's courtesy of Pat Kelly)
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