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The second Enid Pretorius Properties Trail Walk and Run had 123 runners and walkers covering the perimeter of St Francis and Cape St Francis on August 9. A few unexpected drops of rain could not dampen the spirit of the walkers, and the runners appreciated the cool conditions in which they tackled this long but amazing event.
Enid bringing Ana Maria in!
Due to the high amount of rain that fell in the area since May the route had to be changed as some sections are still completely inaccessible. Where walkers crossed The Dunes on dry ground in 2010, puddles of water are now waist deep. The St Francis Links made up for this disappointment and changed their route to include greens, golf cart paths, a scenic view from the highest point and a detour past the beautiful dam at the back.
As runners and walkers now had to go around The Dunes, they hit a bit of tarred road to get to the Mosterds Hoek dirt road. As they reached the ocean for the first time on the section towards the Cape St Francis Light House the conditions cleared up and the beauty of the coast line was just amazing. “I never knew St Francis was so beautiful,” was often heard.
The detour resulted in the distance to the Lighthouse to become a full and tough 19km, which was enough for 30 of the participants. The Cape St Francis beach was not very accommodating as the majority of the participants crossed in loose sand. From Port St Francis, where one of the silent spectators was a huge whale, it was only 5km to go to the finish line, this year a total distance of 29km.
The introduction of an official trail run took this event to a new level, and trail runners came from as far as East London to take part, enjoying this event as part of their training for the Otter Trail Run later this year.
“I was suppose to have a rest day, and thought how hard can it be if it is actually a walk?” one of the runners said. “Boy, it was hard, but we will be back next year, it is just so beautiful.” The trail run was won by Jeffreys’ Bay teacher Pierre de Villiers in a time of 2h46. The women’s race was won by local Ana Maria Hay in a time of 3h32.
But Enid Pretorius, the main sponsor still has her wish come true, as groups of friends walked at a brisk pace enjoying nature. “I want people to enjoy a day in the outdoors, but it is great to see the wonderful competitive spirit too.”
Enid said she is extremely proud of the youngest participant to finish the entire distance – Megan Greyling, who is only 9. Megan is the grand daughter of Mike and Pam Stark, and walked with them as well as dad Francois and Mom Michelle from the UK.
Paul van Rijswijk, right behind them was the first (and only!) under 12 boy to finish the entire distance with his mom Kim, and sister Dani, the only under 17 to complete the distance. Well done to all!
Claudia Urzo from Trattoria San Francesco invited her staff to enjoy the “walk” with her, but she soon had to find new walking partners as Sipho Matiwane and Luzuku Musabalala enjoyed to run! Despite the fact that they never train, they finished in the top ten!
The top ten were:
1. Pierre de Villiers (2h46)
2. Chris Gedye (2h48)
3. Schoombee Pretorius (2h58)
4. Ana Maria Hay (3h32) – 1st Lady
5. Lucas van der Westhuizen (3h33)
6. Zonja Ras (3h34) – 2nd Lady
7. Vanessa Lessing (3h35) – 3rd Lady
8. Sipho Matiwane (3h35)
9. Luzuku Masabalala (3h40) – without shoes for 10km!!
10. Jaco Klopper/Hennie van Zyl (3h40)
Please email your finish time to info@stfrancissport.co.za as we would like to compile a complete list of finishing times. Photo’s are available on the Enid Pretorius Properties Facebook page as well as on the St Francis Village News Facebook page.
After having the event in grueling weather in 2010, organizers knew it “can only be better,” and it was! Thank you to Enid Pretorius Properties, main sponsor of the event, as well as:
Village Square Superspar, Yvette’s Stationery, Colours, Fresh, Butcher Shop, St Francis Pharmacy, Due West, R&A Computers, Viking’s Bakery, Village Gym, Serenity, Willem Kriel Brokers, Toffee Clothing, Billabong, Vee’s Video, The Book and I, Barrons, Hair by Tano, Village Video, Africology, Full Circle, St Francis Sport, Tops, Annemarie’s Boutique, Origin, Glow, The Liquor Store and Wine Cellar, Sanex, Out of the Blue, Absolutely Water, USN, Patensie Citrus; as well as the Traffic Department, Sea Vista Tennis Players, the marshals on the day, Madelein Grobbelaar, Xandri Knipe and Dana Pretorius for their unconditional assistance, Rinus Peltenburg for helping with marking the route (and doing the walk!), Dave Louw and Amanda Lambrechts for the water points, MJ Potgieter (for Mosterdshoek), Jan Riegardt, Dries de Bruin, Brent and Chantelle Cook as well as Jeff Clause from the St Francis Links for giving us permission to have the event on their land.
The proceeds of the Enid Pretorius Properties Trail Run and Walk are used to promote and assist sport on junior level.
