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Words by Donna WrightPhotos by Debbie Agenbag, Ilonka Potgieter and Greg LevieuxinTRAIL:

GREYLING RISES

TO THE NUM-NUM

CHALLENGETHE NUM-NUM

TRAIL - A JOURNEY

WHERE EVERY STEP

IS A DESTINATION

2 • dinDIGITAL | July 2012_#6

Tired of farm roads? Then The Num-Num Trail’s annual race is the one to

start training for. Described by Landie Visser as ‘way more technical than

the Otter’, this pure and scenic trail running experience in Mpumalanga

came out of nowhere to catch trail snakes and buffalos by surprise. Now

into its second year, the 36.5 km Challenge and 15 km Rough It races,

which took place on 7 July, tested the physical and mental skills of even

the most hardened trail runner.

Some of South Africa’s leading runners, including Landie Visser, Jock

Green, Mazu Ndandani, Graeme McCallum, Christiaan Greyling and Dom

Wills, lined up to be challenged by the Bankspruit Gorge. Christiaan

Greyling kept a steady pace and cool head to win his first big race in

a quad breaking 04:53. Landie Visser covered 36.5 km of sandstone

and forest twisters in 05:08, an hour ahead of Nathalie Romeo, to take

first place. While the last runners pulled on phenomenal mental resources

to get in just after dark in 11 hours, it was not all plain sailing for the

front runners either. Graeme McCallum took a wrong turn and ended up

doing the Bermanzi Loop twice – the toughest section of the trail. After a

‘mere’ rock climb of 1.5 km and 2 km of loose stone downhill, he covered

40 km of rough terrain in 05:31. Num-Num staff member Sijila Msitini

was one to watch out for and he did not disappoint. Powering away in his

first pair of trail running shoes contributed by Sportsmans Warehouse and

many of the runners, Sijila finished in third.

In the 15 km Rough It race, the route was tougher than last year's and

followed some of the most technical and trickiest parts of the Num-Num

Trail; limbering over old boulder falls, in and out of forested areas and

through sandstone rock formations. Jonathan Beattie managed to

snatch first place in 02:52, despite some past injuries and cramps, with

Roelof Nel (02:53) and Deborah Leat (02:55) close on his heels. The

last runners crossed the finish in over 5 hours.

SOME COMMENTS fROM

THE TRAIL RUNNERS:“Cape Town Trail runners supporting Mpumalanga jewel! Definitely worth the travel.

Lung burning technical trail with unforgettable

scenery!” Christiaan Greyling, Num-Num Challenge 2012 Men's Winner

"I am sure that the Num-Num will grow to become one of SA’s elite trail runs in the future!

The technicality and unique variety of nature scenery on this trail is hard to find elsewhere. I

thoroughly enjoyed darting on the single tracks

and hopping on the rocks!" Landie Visser, Num-Num Challenge 2012 Women's Winner

“The variety of terrain is probably the most enjoyable part of the race – easy escarpment running, great views, steep climbs, quad-busting technical descents, twisty forest sections, ladders, bridges, waterfalls, rock pools

– Num-Num has got everything." Neill Leith, 8th place

“I just want to say a big thank you to you and your team for putting on such a great race, it really is one of the most awesome races I´ve done.” Graeme McCullum, Quad Breaker

HIGHVELD CHEERNot only did The Num-Num gain a reputation for being the toughest, most technical race outside of a staged race, it also provided excellent support in the form of lunch packs for on the trail, four water tables, shots of Pure Technology Nutrition glutamine drinks and unique goodie bags and medals. A potjie of steamy gluwein helped convert memories of pain into a kaleidoscope of magnificent landscapes. Francis Darvall, Wimpie Rauch and Attie van Niekerk, co-owners of The Num-Num Trail, said, "We were blown away by the runners on the challenge. This sport requires individuals to reach into the depths of their endurance and yet everyone still acted with impeccable integrity and team spirit. We are determined to grow this event and make it even more efficient, challenging and enjoyable for trail snakes and klipspringers.” We will keep it as an exclusive trail tester that boasts beautiful scenery, country hospitality and an awesome sense of achievement.

Donna Wright, trail race organiser, said, “The owners of the Num-Num Trail have completed an amazing 15-year programme to restore the land from a wattle and blue gum plantation into a treasure trove of natural wonders. A decade of work has accumulated into this wonderful day and we just love it when trail runners and hikers have such a brilliant time on the trail. It’s also great to have dynamic companies like Sportsmans Warehouse, Pure Technology Nutrition, Jacklin Organics, Komati Gorge Lodge and WildTrails SA that are willing to support trail running and new races.

"WildTrails SA, RaceTime, Kinetics.co.za and the Mpumalanga Paramedics and Police Service really made this event happen. They guided the organisers to ensure that all runners got over a few mountains safely – although more than one person definitely met Mother Earth up close and personal."

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. Spar Prayer 2. Joseph Beattie 3. Lindie & Graeme, 4. Jock Green 5. Berm Hill & Clint Seager - early morning Num-Num vista

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More articles in DO IT NOW Magazine:❱❱ Lesotho Wild Run - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 4 Issue 3❱❱ Oorlogskloof Mountain Trail Run - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 4 Issue 2❱❱ Berg and Beach - DO IT NOW Magazine Volume 4 Issue 1

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For more individual race times see: http://www.racetime.co.za/rt/_results/2012/RaceTime-NumNumTR-2012.pdf

MEN WOMEN

Position Name Time Position Name Time

1 Christiaan Greyling 04:53:30 1 Landie Visser 05:08:38

2 Dom Wills 04:57:42 2 Nathalie Romeo 06:11:57

3 Sijila Msitni 05:27:48 3 Chani Mare 07:15:59

4 Graeme McCullum 05:31:04 4 Beverly Davey 07:28:42

5 Naas Janse van Rensburg 06:01:23 5 Canie Cullan 07:47:49

Total No of runners 57 Total No of runners 22

DNFs 16 (28%) DNFs 6 (27%)

MEN WOMEN

Position Name Time Position Name Time

1 Jonathan Beattie 02:52:21 1 Deborah Leat 02:55:37

2 Roelof Nel 02:53:43 2 Jo Jones 02:59:42

3 Ian Jones 02:59:45 3 Marilize Steenkamp 03:02:32

4 Nick Janse van Rensburg 03:02:32 4 Peta Wills 03:13:56

5 Andrew Oelofsen 03:03:20 5 Judith Christina Vermeulen 03:29:57

Total No of runners 21 Total No of runners 19

DNFs 1 DNFs 0

RACE RESULTS - 36.5 kM CHALLENGE

RACE RESULTS - THE 15 kM ROUGH IT

AbOUT THE 2013 RACE:WHERE: Mpumalanga between Machadodorp and Badplaas.

TERRAIN: Amazing keeps you going when you think the quads have packed up. It's a real technical race complemented with forests, boulder falls, sandstone formations, open escarpment and only 4 km of farm road.

LEVEL: Intense – a trail tester of note.

ELEVATION: It's just under high altitude at 1,750 m. Runners climb and descend by 400 m elevation four times in one day.

COST: R650 for race entry (includes prize-giving and a braai).

WHEN: Dates to be released July/August.

FIND OUT MORE: For more info or to get onto the 2013 VIP list, email info@thenum-numtrail.co.za.

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