"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Monday 15 December 2014

Circuit Race Craziness

The Johannesburg Running Festival is in full swing with the 10 Day runners into their 3rd day today. Tomorrow sees the start of the 6 Day race and then it will be my turn on Friday when the 48 Hour race starts. There will also be a 24 Hour race as well as a 12 Hour day race and a 12 Hour night race.

A typical circuit race scene. I love this!

Yesterday I popped in at the track for some support to the brave 10 Day runners... or is that totally crazy 10 Day runners...


I also used the opportunity to walk the track and see what the loop of 471m is all about. It is mostly grass and completely flat. By Friday I don't think there will be much grass left.

I think the whole lap will look something like this by Friday.

As usual Eric Wright, the RD, is putting on a great race and he and his wife's efforts are amazing. All for the love of this wonderful sport. They really go out of their way to make each runner's experience as enjoyable as possible.

Have to know what time it is...

Lap counting and time keeping.

Pool for those really warm hours.

Having a look around also helped me to make sure my list of what to bring is as complete as possible. One thing I've learned from these long races is that I would rather be there with hundred things I don't need than without one thing I do need. My list is long... I will post it some time this week. I wrote it in Afrikaans and need to translate it first.

I also had a look at what is typically provided at the feeding station. The race provides a feeding station with Coke, Powerade and a few different treats to eat. This is a combination of sweet and salty snacks.

Lots of nice treats!

Drinks.

Conversion charts - number of laps to kilometers.

I also chatted to some of the 10 Day runners I know. These guys are really brave and have very strong minds. In the process of chatting to them I kind of committed to doing the 6 Day race next year... We'll see about that :)

This is likely to be the spot where my tent will be.

So I am now even more excited and really getting my plan together. The atmosphere at an event like this is very unique. 4 days to go!




Have a great week everyone!

8 comments:

Robin said...

Looks like quite the set up! Good luck this weekend.

misszippy said...

Wow--that's a HUGE accomplishment! Good luck to you and enjoy.

One Crazy Penguin said...

I definitely think you're nuts, but it looks like they have everything set up for success! Good luck :)

Kate Geisen said...

TEN day runners!? Wow. I'd love to do an expedition-style adventure race, which would go over several days, but to just run for ten days would be a whole different beast! I'm definitely looking forward to hearing about your 48 hour race. Good luck!

KovasP said...

Sounds like the planning is on track - can't wait to see the list!

Char said...

Ten days straight of running is a little on the loony side. Around and around and around in circles. The mind boggles!

coach dion said...

How many guys are running/walking (by now) the 10 days and how many are in the 6 day event!

Karien P. said...

I get butterflies in my tummy just reading about it...! Good luck!