Experience triumphs at Waaihoek Race

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Published on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 14:29

Written by Samantha Jenner

Cool weather conditions were perfect for the UCT Mountain and Ski 14th annual Waaihoek Race. The challenge is an ascent of roughly 1300m over a distance of just under 2km.

The Race forms part of the Extreme Challenge of three meets, Waaihoek Race, The Roof and Three Peaks (a day’s hike up Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head in time for sundowners).
The Waaihoek Race trail is largely technical and competitors need to carry a minimum of 15% of their body weight. The braver racers began with a run from the start at the car park on UCT Road, but within 100m slowed to a brisk walk interspersed with jogging. Anyone who’s hiked the trail to the finish at Hoare Hut knows it’s a long climb, and the first competitor soon dropped out.

Daniel Martin, a seasoned trail runner, led from the start and set a comfortable distance from the pack by the time he passed Agony Rock.  He maintained this steady lead and was just within sight but well out of reach of the following pack until he disappeared over Point Hi.

Jonathan Glover, second, stormed away coming up Grassy Triangle and was quickest scrambling up Rocky Band. After Point Hi, where the route becomes more undulating and running is again possible he kept his distance from the rest.

Third place, and first lady, was taken by Samantha Jenner, who maintained a steady pace throughout the race. Although outside the record times of 1h15 (men) and 1h28 (women), the finishes were a respectable 1h29, 1h46 and 1h51. 

Unfortunately, there were no entries for the Gas Race. This has the same route and rules, but racers carry an additional 25kg gas canister to re-stock the hut at the top.

Some of the hiking supporters came in much later as they lost the trail for a short while. The marshalls, Ian Scott, Luke Viljoen and Irenee Kaminuza, were called on to round them up, slightly distracting them from their timing and champagne-chilling duties.

The next event in the Extreme Challenge is The Roof on Sunday 9 October. This is an endurance hike from UCT to Kalk Bay that covers 40km across the three highest peaks on the Cape Peninsula within time to catch the last train back to Cape Town. The train has not been missed for three years and competitors who make good time are treated to a congratulatory drink at the Brass Bell.

For more information about the UCT Mountain and Ski Club, visit mountainandski.com.