The story of this race starts with me thinking I will not
be able to run. Yes, on Friday evening I was still about 80% sure I won’t be
able to run. I was flat on my back, literally, the whole Friday, with a weird
stomach bug. Anette stayed positive and assured me it was a 24 hour bug and
that I would be ready to run on Sunday morning. She was right!
I felt better and better through Saturday and by the time
we arrived in Sabie I was about 88% myself again.
Sabie is a beautiful town in the eastern lowveld of
Mpumalanga, one of the most beautiful provinces of South Africa. The town is a
favorite tourist destination and one of the main hubs of the wood and paper
industry of the country. It is surrounded by plantation after plantation of
pine and blue-gum trees. It was between these trees that we ran most of the
race.
Sabie
Stage 1
The morning started with registration and packet pickup
and judging by the quality of this we were looking forward to a first class event.
Everything was perfect and this eased the nerves of those who were a bit
worried about what to expect.
Beautiful venue!
Registration and the best goody bag I've ever received!
I was entered for the pro race (16km, 11km, 18km) and
Anette for the lite race (8km, 11km, 11km)…her first stage race. I will let her
tell her own story, but believe me, she did great!
Ready for stage 1. Me with new sun prevention cap.
After some standing around the race briefing was done and
we were ready to start stage 1. I was very excited…stage races are growing on
me very fast. I think they are my new favorite type of race.
Race briefing.
Ready to start.
With little hoohaa the countdown was done and we were on
our way. The field was quite small with this being the first time the race was
held. Runners sped off into the distance very quickly, leaving me and a few
back of the packers in their dust.
About 500m into the race we had a water crossing…these
seem to follow me around where ever I race. I love water crossings and don’t
mind wet shoes so I was happy and feeling great as I completed my first
kilometer of the stage.
Water crossing. I love water crossings!
We ran along a dirt road for a while and the field spread
out very quickly. By the time we turned onto the single trails there were not
many runners close to me.
Dirt road for the first 2km.
Onto the trails!
The trails were fantastic and we were in the pine forest
soon. Running between the trees was unreal and I definitely felt some magic.
The magic stayed with me for the whole stage.
Into the forest!
Magic between the trees...
There was a water/check point at 3km and after this I
didn’t see another runner for the rest of the stage. I was in runner’s heaven
and the forest/plantation was spectacular. There is something very special
about running or just being among the trees like that.
The trails were all runable and we followed some forest
roads every now and then. There were two climbs of note in stage one. I
certainly felt them, but they were very manageable. The spirit of the race was
to give runners the chance to complete the event but still keep the relaxed
holiday feeling at the same time. Perfect for December!
In the second half we got a glimpse of some waterfalls in
the distance, trademark of Sabie. It was beautiful!
This is a beautiful place to run indeed!
As we turned back towards the finish we followed the
Sabie river. The trail on the river bank is great and I was really feeling
super. I was very happy that the stomach bug did not influence my first stage
in any way.
Trail along the river.
About 2km from the finish we ran into the Merry Pebbles
resort. It was packed with campers as there was a very big mountain bike race
happening at the same time as our race. Everyone was super friendly. We ran on
the outer boundary of the resort and once through the resort it was only 500m
to the finish.
Merry Pebbles Resort.
Trout fishing in the Sabie river.
Friendly RD at the finish.
Stage 1 completed!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!
