UTCT (Ultra Trail Cape Town) 2018

One of the definitive bucket list runs that I think should be on any Ultra Runners calendar of events. If not for the unique setting and the sense of adventure attached to a journey to Africa, there is of course opportunity to tag on a vacation post run, including a Safari to see and experience so much more. But that shall be subject to an entirely different post.

As for the run, there are distances of 21km, 35km, 65km and of course 100km available. Given the tight cut off time for the 100km event, which I had signed up for, I eventually opted to downgrade myself to the 65km event. It. would be a vacation after all.

So, Liz and I arrived in Cape Town after a 24 hour journey from Beijing, China. Touch down Nov 29, registration formalities done the same day, one more day to acclimatize.

As we soon discovered, the organization of the event was splendid, the race village well organized with a variety of food stalls including ice cream available for both runners and supporters.

A large and comfortable tent with stage and big screen to allow for a wind and weather protected environment to catch up on race briefings, meet the elite or wonder about various exhibits. And after a straight forward and efficient registration procedure, We are ready; me with my bib to run and Liz with the cowbell to cheer us on.

Race day: ready, bright and early for a comfortable 05:00am start of my race on Dec 1.

Gun time at 5:00 am with a rather muted countdown, presumably because the race village is in a residential area and it was too early for bigger noise. And off we went as the first twilight started to break through. Only about 3km on the road, just enough time to get the body warmed up and for the light to break before we start the first moderate ascend up Signal Hill.

Very pleasant surprise here as the ascent takes us up a steady and easy elevation. A little fresh as the temperature is cool, the wind is picking up and the clouds are hanging low. I rip the windbreaker out of my backpack and put it on. As I am starting to feel comfortable, I feel for the runners whom have opted to run in shorts and T-Shirts… I can see they are freezing.

CP1 Signal Hill 10,3km

The run has been pleasant, I go straight pass the CP, no stop

Lions Head, looks a little more intimidating from the distance, fortunately we did not have to run all the way up to the peak but after a gentle climb we made our way around, leading us to

CP2 Kloofnek 18,5km

What seemed easy thus far was to take a quick turn. Clouds have now lifted and the sun is starting to come through. We are now on our way up Table Mountain. A long and steep climb of 1,000m altitude in one go (the entire course accumulates just over 3,000m, so one third of that in this climb). Big boulders to climb over and a real leg burner.

Hence it did not take long for the first few casualties to fall. That being runners giving in from exhaustion or others with bloody knees, shins, arms and faces…

Usually one of the most enjoyable parts of trail running is the fact that we are out there, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature and in spite of the physical exhaustion this offers a special manner of distress.

But behold, could it be that it is a bag pipe we are hearing? I am half way up a steep uninhabitable mountain in South Africa? Hard to believe, but this brave man has trekked up/or down half way with his bag pipe, only to stand there braving the elements for hours and to play the instrument for our motivation.

Dear Sir, whoever you are, you are the hero of this event!

Notwithstanding the exhaustion, all runners up and down the mountain found breath to applaud and cheer our cheerleader sounding the echo of applause all the way from The valley to the summit. How wonderful is this running community!

Finally, or so I thought, after a seemingly endless and leg burning climb and with water reserves a little low, I reach the top looking forward to a good and energizing refill.

Timekeeper waiting I ask how far it is to the next watering hole? 6km the crushing reply. Usually not a big deal but there being very little runnable trail but mostly large and larger boulders to climb over, this stretch across the top ridge of Table Mountain turns into a long 6km.

CP3 Table Mountain 30,8km

Finally and now with the tank full again, downhill for a looong stretch, how nice – not! No trail! More boulders! More climbing down than running down. First few blisters breaking open, toenails coming off? Not sure, not going to open my shoes until the finish line. Won’t get them back on if I do.

CP4 Alphen Trail 42,8km

During long runs, I am routinely suffering from GI issues. This time I brought ginger tea with me. It worked – 80%! Much better than usual but still not perfect. The last two attempts at 100km had to be abandoned for GI problems. I am determined to finish this one! So I simply plonk on the ground and decide not to move for 30 minutes. Precious time lost but I am well ahead of cut off times and I have no podium ambitions. Must make sure my body is in shape for the final stretch. With the finish line moving closer, it seems we are entering the home stretch, another 25km or so… it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Who on earth, put another mountain in our way??? Who does that???

not funny at all… Fortunately every ascend, no matter how long and grueling, is followed by a descend. And this one in fact quite pleasant and very scenic. I love the fields of flowers, quite pretty.

As we come further down, we enter the private wine Estate of Constantia. As we enter we pass a sign, it reads: “Free Wine Tastings This Way” how come our way markers are leading us right pass that entrance!?

How so ever, very nice of the folks of the Estate to allow us passage. Can’t help but feel out of place though as we watch the beautifully dressed up Ladies and Gentlemen in their gowns, suits and hats, standing on the terrace of the exclusive Estate, pre-lunch Bubbles flowing while we are stomping pass down below in the dust longing for the finish line. Somehow it feels like the Melbourne Cup and we are the horses … Yet there shall be redemption. Our own vacation in the Winelands only two days away.

CP5 University of Cape Town 56,2km

And who puts a checkpoint on top of a long and winding staircase? OMG, did anyone mention that we just hobbled 56km up and down mountains, across rocks and boulders, some the size of a house?

And if that was not enough of an insult, the final home stretch is …, yes… another uphill! And a really steep one too!

But yet again, what goes up must come down and so are we. For another circumference of the hills above with awesome and sweeping views overlooking Cape Town.

In plain language, yes this trail has got some great runnable sections but the rest of it is very technical. No wonder it pays us four ITRA points, which on this distance seemed generous initially but not after having bashed up all ten toes, running it!

A very enjoyable and rewarding experience and with Liz waiting for me at the finish line, in fact with her running the final stretch together with me we are now all set to start the recovery-vacation.

Wine land here we come!