inTRAIL:
Words by Nicolette Cronje Photos by Deon Kuhn
Mathew Brown on the Onrusrivier Oewer Trail
New T rail t s u M a n u R e Village in Hermanus. en I met Paul at the Win It was a chilly morning wh en Aarde Valley was the sea and the Hemel Mist was driving in from e the 12 km trail run had invited me to test driv slowly waking up. Paul Trail Run and 6 km km 12 nt, the Groenberg eve new his of t par is t tha Saturday 11 August. Hemel en Aarde Valley on Fun Run to be held in the kout for different iast and always on the loo As a trail running enthus te held in store. rou ed to find out what this experiences, I was intrigu
www.doitnow.co.za • 1
A runner on Rotary Drive with Hermanus in the background
2 • dinDIGITAL | August 2012_#1
Setting off, the first odd kilometre was on e tar and proved to be a good warm up befor that ver, Howe ons. secti hitting the off-road was the last bit of comfort I had until the end. Paul, who was on his mountain bike, immediately
ered led me on the famous Pipe Road, which meand seen. ever I've gums sugar t amongst some of the bigges The forest was alive with the songs of awakening birds g in and even the odd baboon could be heard barkin ly ximate appro for road the distance. We stayed on this the be would what at ing stopp two kilometres before was first water point and turn-off for the short run. It a welcome breather especially after hearing Paul's the comment that the fun was over and now came serious part of the route.
entrance Back on the trail, a short but stiff climb took us to the of the view the and d cleare had mist The of Camphill Farm. along ering Lumb . taking breath simply was bloom full in fynbos we that nced annou nly a jeep track to 'nowhere' Paul sudde ered should tly promp He n. sectio had reached the 'trekking' ring what his bike and led the way as I trailed behind, wonde that led station pump a to came We . sleeve his up had he golden the ng warmi sun onto the Bobojaan Pad, and with the Neck. The s toward ds upwar d colored veld we steadily climbe at view the but track, single cal techni hat This was a somew Hemel the of sight the in drank I and ible incred was top the its rolling en Aarde Valley far below. It was glorious with nus Herma the and , groves olive rds, fynbos, manicured vineya much get 't doesn just It rop. backd wed shado Mountain as a better than this!
www.doitnow.co.za • 3
After taking a couple of minutes to enjoy the view, I spied on the track down and my excitement heightened. Back , zigzag the along his bike, Paul took off like a rocket on backs swish sharp with downhill jeep track littered was firm sandy tracks. In hot pursuit I followed and it n, ntratio conce total the , speed the ating; exhilar totally we bottom the At the pumping adrenalin. What a rush! out turned back along on the same road we had started tracks single ined mainta well on way our on and made yet to Camphill Farm. Boy-o-boy, this had been a taxing awesome experience. And We reached the second water point at about 8 km. led Paul better, any get 't couldn it ht thoug I when just run km 6 the me onto the track of my life, and where Pad, joins the 12 km run. We hit the Onrust Rivier Oewer have I like run bush a and fame to claims one of Paul’s ngs, never done before. Twisting, turning, stream crossi km 4 last the For it. log clearings, you name it and I did soon too all but pace, frisky a I took the lead, setting the end came into view and we exited the trail at Whale Haven Winery.
4 • dinDIGITAL | August 2012_#1
I had just experienced 12 km of sheer trail running pleasure and can’t wait to do it all over again on 11 August. Although this is a trail that can be done at a speed, I suggest that runners stop ever y now and then to listen to the amazing birdlife that calls this area home. I thought I heard a barbet, but Paul assured me it was just my hear t pounding.
George Thom & Martha Koekemoer
www.doitnow.co.za • 5
You are invited ...
Groenberg 12 km Trail Run & 6 km Fun Run 12 km Trail Run Join us for a day in the valley at the inaugural Groenberg will take you run km 12 The t. Augus 11 ay, Saturd on Run and 6 km Fun is all about route The . where very few runners have ever ventured before ng river boggli mind and tracks jeep technical and challenging single and 6 km the ers s/walk runner d rience inexpe and edge trails. For the young ting while interes it keep to h enoug tough just it's se becau route is ideal and flora that still having the opportunity to enjoy the fantastic fauna etitors and comp 200 first the for s abounds in the area. There are medal won. be to lots of lucky draw prices nus Groenberg Proceeds from the entries will be used to send Herma in the National pate partici to stad Jukskei Club's junior team to Kroon ips. Junior Jukskei Championsh
6 • dinDIGITAL | August 2012_#1
DATE & TIME
Saturday, 11 August 2012 12 km - 08:30 6 km - 08:35
ENTRY INFORMATION Entry Fees: 12 km - R50 per person 6 km - R30 per person Enter Online: www.entrytime.com More Info: www.hermanusadventures.co.za
Elize van Niekerk and Julie de Jongh, roses amongst the fynbos
More articles in DO IT NOW Magazine:
❱❱ Expedition Africa - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 4 Issue 4 ❱❱ Berg and Beach - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 4 Issue 1 ❱❱ Wildcoast Wildrun - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 3 Issue 6 Visit the inACTION Category page on our website for more fascinating stories.
Buy one
issue
online
now
www.doitnow.co.za • 7