Page 5 - 21 June 2024

THE REPORTER 21 JUNE 2024 · PAGE 5

The 34th Rhodes Trail Run challenged by new entrant
takes place on 29 June Mariska Jane and local
2024. The new organisers, stalwart, Janneke Heunis
Heather Ralph and Rudi (née Leask)
Hiestermann have reported Three runners with more
that plans have progressed than 25 runs under their
well although they are belts have entered, with
worried about what the Sham Singh who has run
weather will present on the every event so far joining the Pictures of the route, taken on 9 June 2024
day. Currently, the thick field. The oldest contender
snow on the mountains may
mean that the route will have will be Norah Doherty at 75
to be changed. years old.
The Rhodes Run is steeped
D a r r e l l a n d E v i e Sonwabile
Raubenheimer handed the in tradition which the new Mbaliswana
organization over to the local organisers will not be handing over
Rhodes residents after 32 changing. Heather says the fleeces to
years of involvement with the advantage of living in Heather Ralph
run, 24 of which they were Rhodes is that they have
the organisers. They have been able to approach local
been closely supporting suppliers for many of their
Heather and Rudi in the requirements.
preparations. Heather is thrilled that Barkly
East group, Siyazingisa
Weather permitting, the
route will cover 52km, Women's Sewing Primary Siyazingisa Women's Primary Sewing and Kamvalethu
starting in Rhodes, up the Co-op and Kamvalethu Youth co-operative preparing goody bag items
Kloppershoekspruit, to the Youth multipurpose Co-op
border road at Lesotho View assisted by Tersia Gerber P u r i t a s , r u n b y t h e Walkerbouts, Studio House and
and then towards Tiffindell and Bev Gush are making B r u m m e r s f r o m t h e the Rhodes Hotel will offer daily
a n d d o w n t h e goodie bags and a gift to Jakkelsvlei farm. All feed meals to runners and their
Carlisleshoekspuit road, include in the goodie bag. In station supplies are bought support teams. There will also be
back to Rhodes. addition, they are sewing from Mukheibir's and other a pop-up market at the hall.
branded beanies, scarves Barkly suppliers.
Heather reports that the field and blankets. The run starts at the Rhodes
of runners at 150 is slightly Most of the people forming Agricultural Hall at 07h00 and
lower than hoped for. She Fleece tops have been the crew are local Rhodes the finish cut off is at 16h00, with
believes this is primarily due supplied by Zakhele resident residents and farmers from prize giving at 16h30. Everyone
to the economic challenges currently studying in around the area. is encouraged to visit Rhodes
facing everyone as well as Johannesburg, Sonwabile The NG Kerk will as usual and support the festivities. Visit
the number of trail runs Mbaliswana, who has a provide dinner on Friday
available to runners across clothing brand named evening before the race as the Rhodes Run website at
the country. GoatFace. well as light meals during www.rhodesrun.co.za for more
Water is being supplied by race day. Of course, information. Start of the 2023 run
Despite the smaller field, the
competition is expected to
be fierce. In the men's
category, last year's winner
and runner up, Tonic Masilo
and Thato Kabeli have again
entered. They have been
doing extremely well in
various trail running events,
with Thato excelling in
100km events. They will be
strongly challenged by four-
time winner of the event,
Kallie Burger.
In the ladies' field, last year's
winner, Roné Steenkamp
(née Reynecke) will again
compete. She will be