Wild Utopia - Pondo Drifter

RUNNING

Words & Photos: Mark Sampson, Thribe Media

Wild Utopia Pondo Drifter

15 May 2015 | DO IT NOW Magazine • 1

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Wild Utopia Pondo Drifter

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Transkei, Wild Coast, Pondoland. What does the mind’s eye conjure up when it hears these words? Massive

cliffs, rough seas, friendly locals, pristine beaches or possibly ocean-going cows, colourful rondavels pock marking the landscape or children screaming, “SWEETIES, SWEETIES!” Yes, the Transkei is undeniably and incredibly unique for a number of reasons and by default any trail running event along this utopian single-track destination is instantly embalmed in grandeur by the holy grail of travel destinations. The Pondo Drifter trail run, now in its second year, is one such trail run.

This fully catered, three-day trail run of about 72 km was held from 8 to 10 May 2015. The event took place north of Port St Johns and followed a hopscotch route that used the famous Drifter hiking camps as its daily start and finish points.

Now anyone who knows anything about Drifters will know it is a quality offering with food, accommodation and unique locations as a pillar of its luxury service offering. The tented camps are a bit of a misnomer though, as the luxury tents are a permanent structure and include an external roof, bathroom and bed with linen. A dining area overlooking the ocean, local river or pristine indigenous forest is guaranteed and locally used staff service your every need. This is service, Transkei style! Add to that the precision hosting and friendly infused organisation of team TriSport SA and you have a winning combination.

Meeting at Cremorne River Lodge in Port St Johns, runners were taxied to the start through local villages and shown a massive Cape vulture colony, off the beaten track. The route for the trail run started at Msikaba Camp, where runners could enjoy the local beaches and kayaking up the river prior to starting.

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Day 1

Day one of the event took runners from Msikaba Camp, 18 km south, to Luputhana Camp. A relatively flat section along the coast with single track and beach sections saw them pass the famed Grosvenor shipwreck location.

Reputed to have gone down in 1782 with a bounty of gold, diamonds and rubies, there have been a number of salvage attempts from land, including tunnels and winches that are still visible, but none have been successful!

Arriving at Luputhana Camp, runners had the opportunity to experience one of nature’s true revelations of waves doing a staccato dance as they smashed against the rocky coastline.

Day 2

After a relatively easy first day, the second day covered 26 km from Luputhana to the Manteku Tented Camp.

This was undoubtedly the highlight of the three days as runners traversed unpopulated, pristine coastline that included two of the seven waterfalls in the world that plummet into the ocean and end off with a kayak taxi to the overnight luxury camp, where the rising moon and sound of local wildlife keep visitors intrigued.

Day 3

On the final leg of this adventure, the 27 km route to the Cremorne River Lodge, on the banks of the mighty Mzimvubu River at Port St Johns, treated participants to long white beaches, steep cliffs scrambles and deep caves inhabited by descendants of our ancestors. The route also included some jeep track through the local communities, who are always happy to engage in friendly banter and encouragement.

Did you notice that none of the above alluded to a stage race, times or racing?

Another unique thing about the Pondo Drifter trail run is its non-competitive, social, come-and-enjoy-type atmosphere.

Start times were decided daily, based on tides, and it was generally about enjoying the unique terrain and camaraderie of fellow runners from across the globe.

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With this outlook, a local guide is provided to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the local sightseeing attractions. However, if, like

this year, you are using the Pondo Drifter for a training run of sorts, you won’t be held back as the organisers happily accommodated everyone.

At the end of the day this is a wild, crazy place, but so too is the thought of covering 72 km over this kind of terrain in three days.

Or is it? Due to accommodation constraints, numbers are limited to 20 so keep an eye out on www.trisport.co.za for 2016 entries. • More information For more information about the race, visit www.trisport.co.za

Wild Utopia Pondo Drifter

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