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Cape Town - South African sporting legends Bruce Fordyce and Sibusiso Vilane teamed up to tackle the grueling three-day ProNutro AfricanX Trail Run in Grabouw on Friday.
Nine-time Comrades winner, Fordyce and well-known adventurer Vilane - the first black South African to complete the Three Poles challenge: reaching the summit Mount Everest, South and North Pole - successfully completed the first 31km stage that started and finished at the Houw Hoek Inn in the Elgin/Grabouw area.
Fordyce who uses the AfricanX as preparation for the Comrades Marathon said he particularly enjoyed the new route.
The Comrades king said: "This is my kind of route. I think it is huge improvement on last year's first stage that started in Kleinmond. That was definitely much tougher and probably a bit too technical. This year we were able to run most of the route which makes it a bit easier for the average participant."
Vilane is known for his exploits as an adventurer and mountaineer, but he says he is actually a keen road runner as well.
"Many people are not aware that I am actually going to run my fifth Comrades this year. I think the AfricanX is the ideal race for Comrades preparation. When I looked at the route and distances of the AfricanX, I realised that it is actually similar to running a Comrades distance over three days. It's much better than doing a long run on the road. I have never done a trail run before and I found the experience to be absolutely awesome. The scenery is absolutely magnificent and I can't wait to see what the second and third stage will offer," said Vilane.
Kane Reilly and Nicholas Rupanga of Team Salomon set a blistering pace during stage one crossing the finish line in 2:15.46.
According to Reilly they felt really good on the day.
“We took it fairly slow for the first 15km, before breaking away with Michael Bailey and Ben Brimble, with whom we were very evenly matched. Today’s route wasn’t very tough and featured nice ups and downs. Nicholas and I go way back, he use to take me to the track. It is nice to finally get the chance to run with him. Our strategy for Stage Two will be to stick with the lead guys and not let anyone get away,” said Reilly.
Michael Bailey and Ben Brimble of Team ProNutro ASSICS came in second, while AJ Calitz and Nic De Beer of Team KWay Vivo Gu finished third.
Ronel Nattrass and Kathleen Shuttleworth of Team Mizuno were the ladies team to beat on the day crossing the finish line in 2:45.28. For Nattrass the team dynamic worked well on the day.
“We had a solid run today, pacing ourselves well. The route was fairly easy except for the surprise just before the finish. The competition has definitely become tougher since last year,” said Nattrass.
Theresa Fourie and Belinda Noades of Team Columbia came in second, while Chantel Nienaber and Kerry Sillifant of Team Running Wild finished third.
In the mixed category husband and wife duo Landie and Christiaan Greyling of Team ION Salomon had an impressive race claiming the top spot on the podium in a deserving time of 2:37.32.
“We had an amazing run today,” said Landie.
“My partner was really helpful and that’s just what it’s about in a team event. We had loads of fun and the route was just perfect. Tomorrow we’ll just take it easy and see how the legs feel”.
Iain and Su Don-Wauchope of Team Mountain Splendour came in second, while Carla Van Huyssteen and Marc Price of Team Troisport Supermassive finished third.
Stage Two:
Date: Saturday, 20 April 2013
Distance: 33km
Total Ascent: 900m
Water Points: Four in total (on the 7.5km, 14.4km, 16.4km and 24km mark)
Start Venue: Ongegund
Finish Venue: Oude Molen Brandy Distillery
Kane Reilly and Nicholas Rupanga of Team Salomon took gold after Stage One of the ProNutro AfricanX Trail Run presented by New Balance in the beautiful Elgin, Grabouw area on Friday, April 19 (Cherie Vale / NEWSPORT MEDIA)
Nine-time Comrades winner, Fordyce and well-known adventurer Vilane - the first black South African to complete the Three Poles challenge: reaching the summit Mount Everest, South and North Pole - successfully completed the first 31km stage that started and finished at the Houw Hoek Inn in the Elgin/Grabouw area.
Fordyce who uses the AfricanX as preparation for the Comrades Marathon said he particularly enjoyed the new route.
The Comrades king said: "This is my kind of route. I think it is huge improvement on last year's first stage that started in Kleinmond. That was definitely much tougher and probably a bit too technical. This year we were able to run most of the route which makes it a bit easier for the average participant."
Vilane is known for his exploits as an adventurer and mountaineer, but he says he is actually a keen road runner as well.
"Many people are not aware that I am actually going to run my fifth Comrades this year. I think the AfricanX is the ideal race for Comrades preparation. When I looked at the route and distances of the AfricanX, I realised that it is actually similar to running a Comrades distance over three days. It's much better than doing a long run on the road. I have never done a trail run before and I found the experience to be absolutely awesome. The scenery is absolutely magnificent and I can't wait to see what the second and third stage will offer," said Vilane.
Kane Reilly and Nicholas Rupanga of Team Salomon set a blistering pace during stage one crossing the finish line in 2:15.46.
According to Reilly they felt really good on the day.
“We took it fairly slow for the first 15km, before breaking away with Michael Bailey and Ben Brimble, with whom we were very evenly matched. Today’s route wasn’t very tough and featured nice ups and downs. Nicholas and I go way back, he use to take me to the track. It is nice to finally get the chance to run with him. Our strategy for Stage Two will be to stick with the lead guys and not let anyone get away,” said Reilly.
Michael Bailey and Ben Brimble of Team ProNutro ASSICS came in second, while AJ Calitz and Nic De Beer of Team KWay Vivo Gu finished third.
Ronel Nattrass and Kathleen Shuttleworth of Team Mizuno were the ladies team to beat on the day crossing the finish line in 2:45.28. For Nattrass the team dynamic worked well on the day.
“We had a solid run today, pacing ourselves well. The route was fairly easy except for the surprise just before the finish. The competition has definitely become tougher since last year,” said Nattrass.
Theresa Fourie and Belinda Noades of Team Columbia came in second, while Chantel Nienaber and Kerry Sillifant of Team Running Wild finished third.
In the mixed category husband and wife duo Landie and Christiaan Greyling of Team ION Salomon had an impressive race claiming the top spot on the podium in a deserving time of 2:37.32.
“We had an amazing run today,” said Landie.
“My partner was really helpful and that’s just what it’s about in a team event. We had loads of fun and the route was just perfect. Tomorrow we’ll just take it easy and see how the legs feel”.
Iain and Su Don-Wauchope of Team Mountain Splendour came in second, while Carla Van Huyssteen and Marc Price of Team Troisport Supermassive finished third.
Stage Two:
Date: Saturday, 20 April 2013
Distance: 33km
Total Ascent: 900m
Water Points: Four in total (on the 7.5km, 14.4km, 16.4km and 24km mark)
Start Venue: Ongegund
Finish Venue: Oude Molen Brandy Distillery
Kane Reilly and Nicholas Rupanga of Team Salomon took gold after Stage One of the ProNutro AfricanX Trail Run presented by New Balance in the beautiful Elgin, Grabouw area on Friday, April 19 (Cherie Vale / NEWSPORT MEDIA)
