The relatively flat stage may have looked simple on paper, but the athletes were surprised by some stings, most noticeably a 3km stretch of 'rock hopping' alongside the ocean approaching Kanon. From Kanon, the runners rounded the point at Fransmanshoek Conservancy to end at Boggomsbaai.
Cornel de Jongh took the lead from the start and kept it all the way during the race, finishing day one in 1:49:47. Luther van der Mescht finished shortly after him in 1:53:58. First lady to cross the line in this amazing race was Marlize Jelliman in a fantastic time of 2:19:54. Next for the ladies was Jo Tanner (2:32:32).
Two Day
The start of day two was at Dana Bay's second beach, from where the runners moved up to traverse the spectacular skyline and contour path above 30m high cliffs. The fynbos trail takes them eastwards towards the Pinnacle Point caves, past the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse and the eventual finish at the Poort.
Day Two covered a distance of about 16km.
This race also had single day entries and Christiaan Greyling with fresh legs was the first to cross in a time of 1:29:00. Cornel followed shortly after in 1:31:44, making him the overall winner of the Two Day stage race in a combined time of 3:21:31.
Marelize Jelliman again crossed the line before any other ladies in a time of 1:58:23, making her the overall winner for the ladies in the Two Day stage race in a combined time of 4:18:17.
St Blaize Run
The St Blaize Run was won by Christiaan Greyling, with the first woman across the finish line being Liezel du Toit in a time of 2:06:12. The first Master male home was Gary Barker in a time of 02:09:33 and the first Veteran male was Eugene Marais in a time of 01:56:55. Elzet Oosthuizen was the first Veteran female home in a time of 02:08:21.
Fred Orban, owner of the Oyster Catcher Trail, hosted the runners at Sandpiper Sports Centre, Boggomsbaai, where the base for registration and the Day One finish were. Sonja and Hano Otto of TriSport have been overwhelmed by the entries this year and would like to thank the municipality for their support in growing this event.
Next year, they would like to also host a three day event in combination with the two day and one day events.
Sonja Otto, race organiser and owner of TriSport, with the overall winners of the Two Day race, Marelize Jelliman and Cornel de Jongh.Photos: Dave van der Merwe
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