Feedback: Sat 18 May Tokai

30 turned out in for our run in perfect Cape autumn weather.     Thanks to Geoff who was volunteered into leading the main group a thoroughly enjoyable run was had by all.

Veronica leading the Recovery Group, decided to run the route in reverse  which meant we ran into both the main group and Fay's walkers as we passed somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Photographs thanks to Lorraine and Felicity and Richard who took the one below

Tee shirt parade

Fat's Walking Group

Feedback: Sat 11 May Glencairn

Glencairn –Kleinplaas Dam circuit

Alan Hammond who led the run reports as follows:

We had 11 runners and 4 walkers arrive at Glencairn on a chilly morning this Saturday. We didn’t have a recovery group and all headed off up into the mountain. We were lead by the very able Leslie Street and navigation was by the wonderful Liz Brash.  Due to her sterling efforts we didn’t get lost once! It was a beautiful day for running and the course was challenging in parts, more because of the sandy surface than any steep inclines. Some great views over the southern peninsula and over towards Long beach.

The route was just a few metres short of 14km and we arrived back at the car park after 2hours and 18mins. A wonderful morning on the trail.

Fay Linder who led the walkers reports as follows:We had a splendid walk in amazing fynbos this morning.   It should be "quiet time" for the flowers but the veld was full of Proteas, Ericas, Lobelias, carpets of Struthiolas and many others....and the weather was perfect!

 

FEED BACK: Sat 4th May: Cape Point-Olifantsbos

Feedback: Sat 27 April, Devil's Peak

Sunrise over the City Bowl

Altogether 26 turned up on a beautiful autumn morning to try out a  new route which would take us to the top of Devil's peak.  Paul assisted by Niel as sweep led out the main group whilst we in the Recovery Group followed on the long climb first up to the saddle then on to the top of Devil's peak.   Having got there before us we passed the Main group coming down from the peak and we could not help noticing the variety of brightly coloured Trail shoes worn by these faster trailers.

Overlooking the Cape Flats towards Cape Hangklip

All groups returned after a very long but scenic outing, having elected to return via Tafelberg road due to time constraints.  Probably the toughest route yet with a lot more slow climbing than anticipated.

The Main Group covered  11.5 Km in 3 hours plus while the Recovery Group did 8kms in 3hrs 40.

Many thanks to Paul Bruwer for leading and Neil Garbers doing the important job of sweep.

Felicity

Congratulations to Allison Lamb for completing her 25th run with Table Mountain Trailers she is now eligible to wear the coveted Red Tee shirt.  and to Trish Smith who normally goes with the walkers but today joined the Recovery group for her tenth sortie earning her the advantage of our speed check in!

Photographs by Lorraine and Alan with a small contribution from me..

Allison has something to shout about

On top Devil's Peak

Megan, Trish, Veronica and Felicity at the top

On the way up with Lion's head in background

The long climb up 

Table Bay

The top at last!

The scary way down

Feedback: Sat 20th April Tokai Scenic Route

Saturday 20^th   April 2013: Tokai Forest Scenic Route

Not much to report other than all groups had an enjoyable run with the Main Group covering about 14kms  thanks to Thomas Andrew and Dave Bywater for leading them without going too far off track.

Sorry no photos received other than the two I took. 

Last week both Chantal Illiffe and Paul Bruwer ran their tenth sortie so join the Decurions and become eligible for the Speed check in.  Congratulations to both.

And this week congratulations to Jane le Roux who completed her 25th run and is now entitled to wear a our special Red tee shirt.

What you can see from Level 5

Recovery Group

Report back; Sat 6 April: Silvermine NW

Saturday 6^th April 2013: Silvermine NW Scenic Circular Route

This is Cape Town with its unpredictable weather!   Having anticipated a fine autumn run along the scenic trails in Silvermine we arrived at the start in good time but in heavy mist and a sprinkling of light rain.

We sorted ourselves into the three groups as usual and Richard led out the Main group at a fine pace.    Knowing we would soon loose sight of them they probably slowed down shortly thereafter.

Fay took her large walking group off next and that left the Recovery group to follow on.   Once up on Steenberg Ridge our hopes were raised that the weather would clear as the sun came out and the cloud base lifted.   But it was not to be and we continued to emulate Gorillas in the mist.

Main group coverd 11kms Recovery group 9kms and Fay's walking group 6ms

Recovery group 

This was the last decent view we had!

A very wet spider

Mist and more mist

Main group at the Blackburn lookout platform

Route followed by Main Group

With thanks to Richard for so ably leading the Main group though the mist,  Gae for sweeping to ensure no-one got lost and to Alan for the photographs.

Report Back: Saturday 23rd March: Silvermine South-East

Saturday 23 March: Silvermine South-East

View from Kalk Bay Peak

Although it had unexpectedly rained earlier in the morning, after all this is Cape Town! and more looked possible, this did not deter about 50 runners from both TM Trailers and Tim's longer faster group turning out.  But more snags along the way as by 0710 about 30 cars were queued at the Silvermine SE boom ready to enter but no warden was in sight.

So with access still denied by 0720  it was agreed to shift the start of all the runs to the Sunbird Centre.   Fortunately that boom was not down so eventually all the groups were able to set off over slightly revised routes.
Tim's group were the first to leave and were last seen streaking up the trail, presumably attempting to make up the time lost due to the delayed start?

One of the Proteas seen

Richard being no stranger to this area took the main group off and around dead man's path and up onto Kalk bay peak,  seeing a few proteas along the way and eventually overtook the recovery group, which had followed a more direct route, along the trail past the ominous looking Tartus cave.

Richard leading the Main Group

Dawn and Ralph looking out towards Simon'sTown

Combined group photo

Route taken by Main Group

Lauren Tarling

Overall a good run along one of our most scenic routes no problems but for the missing boom keeper and Michael who injured his foot.

Many thanks to Richard for leading and Gae for sweeping the main group and congratulations to Lauren who completed her 25th sortie and received her Red Tee for her effort.

Fay reported that her walking group also had a wonderful sortie

Report back-Saturday 16th March 2013: Newlands Two Oceans 10Km Route

28 turned up for the start of our annual attempt to predict the actual route that will be used for the Two Oceans 10km Trail Run.

Yes the organisers do publish a map of sorts and do give a delightfully picturesque description of the route but as we have found over the years actually following them is another matter.

Despite a sudden burst of rain we got organised into our three groups and Michael set off leading the main group, myself the Recover Group and Fay her walking group.    Thereafter all I can say is that we all returned having, as is customary, got lost- yet happy that we did follow more or less something like the predicted route.  

To sum up: A good practice run over a route known for its treacherous roots,loose rocks and damp slippery bits.

Congratulations to Sam Brinkman who completed her 25th sortie and so is now eligible to wear the Table Mountain Trailers  Red Tee shirt

Photo thanks to   Nick Pentreath