Needless to say, he suggested it more than once and I’m not certain what changed or when, but a month ago I committed to joining him in this endeavour. I’m still unclear as to who of us was more surprised ?
Close attention was paid to the weather forecast. Nerves were high as Niels had recently experienced some calf muscle issues and I had never run more than 65km (back in 2017!) and spent most of 2018 recovering from ligament tears. The date was set and support was rallied. Rephrase, support was thrust upon us without us having to ask.
Our Uber driver was very curious as to why we wanted to travel to Signal Hill pre-dawn. We explained that we were running to Hout Bay. Naturally he assumed that we would run there via the road and needless to say he thought we were bonkers doing so via the mountain. He even drove next to us for a while emphasising the latter!
Excitement hung in the, already, warm air. Niels snapped a pic of us at Signal Hill beacon (lucky for him I knew where it is) and off we went! Lion’s Head was heavy with traffic and we caught the sunrise while circling around the back.
While descending and incurring some speed bumps, we decided against heading up Platteklip and re-routed to India Venster via Kloof Corner. Maclear’s Beacon was tagged and we headed towards 12 Apostles noting that our water supply was being depleted at high speed due to the warm weather.
We kept a lookout for Judy Phillips who would be the first of our fabulous support crew to ensure navigational accuracy. We finally found her just beyond Corridor Ravine catching a tan. The adventure continued; next stop Grootkop. Thank you very much Sophia Ndlovu for taking it upon yourself to mark the route and turnoff point the day before – I have run past it on numerous occasions never taking note. Close to the summit, we heard a call from below announcing Adél Van Wyk’s arrival to the pack.
We all expressed our joy at having ventured to the top – it being a first for all 4 of us. It was however cut short when Niels and I realised our water supply was close to running out and the 4 of us would all require top-up should we continue our journey all the way to Suther Peak.
Adél immediately offered her services and literally bolted out of sight to ensure we would have the required hydration when we reached Ruyteplaats. Damn, can those legs move!!
We were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of her in the distance as she ran towards Llandudno Ravine – amazing performance!! Niels and I ran out of water just after Judas Peak – Judy assisted by sharing hers. I have never downed a Coke Cola as fast as I did at Ruyteplaats – what a lifesaver!! Adél and Judy took over and replenished our packs while we chatted to Armand Du Plessis who had travelled through to Suikerbossie to great us in support..
After our recovery (more so mine than Niels’ ?), we set a course for Little Lion’s Head with Judy as our compass. My worst fears were realised when I started cramping. I couldn’t believe it, especially after I had taken every precaution to avoid it. It was a low point. I continued to the top with difficulty, slowing our efforts down, but being encouraged by all. The second Lion was eventually tamed and we had a picnic to assist my recovery.
With Judy’s assistance the pain did remain at bay and we eventually made it down. Unfortunately, Adél had to bid us farewell and the 3 of us continued towards Suther Peak. At the bottom, we ran into 2 fellow trail runners who were also busy completing the Challenge and who we would run into another 3 times during the night. I want to highlight the importance of taking the time to appreciate what lies behind you – in this case literally. At the top of Suther Peak we took stock of what we had already accomplished during the day and was spoilt with a view straight through to Lion’s Head.
With Judy as our GPS, we managed to reach The Vine before 6PM. We ordered coffee and took over the outside area – much to the amusement of the other patrons and staff. All I did was refuel and change my clothing. Judy completely took charge and managed my running pack without hesitation. Sophia popped in adding to the entertainment and both of them waved us off as we continued into the darkness heading up Chapman’s Peak Drive.
The stars and tranquillity were amazing – I love nature – and the warmth of the day continued and never left us during the night. For that, we were immensely grateful. We were met with lots of “goggas” along the way and were careful to keep clear of all spiders as both Niels and I have suffered the consequences while being left with zero spidey senses and very unnecessary medical bills…
Chapman’s Peak was ticked off and we made our way towards Noordhoek Peak. We suffered. I cannot remember the climbing being what it is. It took perseverance but we made it. The berg wind ensured we didn’t stay long and we continued down to Ou Kaapse Weg. How surprised were we when we ran into Marta Mawa Jekot and Jay!! Even their pooch came! We were soooooooooo grateful – you honestly have no idea!! I had, again, run out of water 15 minutes prior. They took charge and replenished all our resources while I downed a chocolate Steri Stumpie and enjoyed some salted potatoes ?
Next stop Muizenberg Peak. Now please keep in mind that this is Niels’ backyard. You would, therefore, expect that he would know where the beacon is, yes? No. If it wasn’t for Eligh Bolle and Woody – who had already spent 3 hours at the top – we would probably have spent 30 minutes darting around trying to locate the beacon – FYI, it was further left. We made ourselves comfortable, ate and chatted while taking in the views and drinking hot chocolate which had been expertly prepared!
We eventually found ourselves back at Ou Kaapse Weg – this time met by Judy and Sophia. My sense of humour had waned at this point in time and again, I just sat around while everything was taken care of for me. Thank you, Judy, for not offering me a lift home – I definitely would have regretted accepting it.
Sophia, I will be eternally grateful for your joining our journey to Constantia Nek. I could not have done it without your chatter and support. I contemplated bailing as we travelled through Silvermine and was close to tears at least 3 times. The tears never came. We persisted. Our second sunrise was upon us and we were joined by Adél, Judy, Armand and Kyle Heugh – my spirits had lifted considerably.
Again, I was doted upon as I lay around recovering and listening to the chatter around me. Six of us set course for Klassenkop with Armand leading the way. He made us push towards Maclear’s Beacon – not sure how I hung in there and thank you for waiting! – leading us towards Ledges. His navigation was on point! Thank you very much for getting us down safely and to the bottom of Devil’s Peak in one piece!! I am very grateful for not having to go via Platteklip and we all ticked a box by completing Ledges with you.
The last peak lay in wait. The remaining 4 of us nearly blew off the mountain and we celebrated my watch clocking a 100 kilometres on the way to the top – in my wildest dreams, I would never have thought this feat possible.
We were thrilled to reach the top with Kyle and Judy – both of their first time to the summit. 90 centimetres to go – my very accurate measurement!!
It was one of the third most difficult stretches as we stuck to the tar from the bottom of Devil’s Peak all the way to Signal Hill – I have never struggled this much on the road. Sophia and her family joined our last kilometre and Eligh, who had travelled all the way from Muizenberg, high-fived us along the way.
A couple of 100 metres from the finish, my watch decided to die. Panic ensued and Judy jumped to my rescue with a power bank much to everybody’s amusement and my relief (as everybody knows: if it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen and I for one most certainly intended to capture the journey).
Our journey finished back where we started around 33 hours 40 minutes prior, and by some miracle I had managed to follow Niels in running up the last little hill towards the Signal Hill beacon.
I don’t think the reality of the accomplishment has yet sunk in. I never would have thought it possible to travel 110 kilometres and cannot remember the last time I was awake this long – varsity most likely ?
To our fabulous support crew: Judy Phillips, Adél Van Wyk, Sophia Ndlovu, Marta Mawa Jekot, Eligh Bolle, Armand Du Plessis and Kyle Heugh you guys were absolutely amazing!!! I cannot begin to express how much your company, chatter, encouragement, assistance, time, effort, planning, coordinating and presence meant and was appreciated – I will never forget this! It was simply beyond expectations and I am truly grateful. Thank you to everybody who expressed interest and followed our tracker. Thank you for checking in along the way and sending through messages of encouragement. Lastly, thank you Niels Luchters for inviting me, waiting for me and having me share in this epic experience!
Submitted by Lize-Marick Keyser.
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