Sunday 17 October 2010

Night Relay running

This weekend was loaded with activities; and they got off to a start with ex-ARer Max Cluer's Energizer Night Relay. This event has been around for years, but this was its first visit to Jo'burg. The race was held out at Teak Place, which I'd never been to before, despite having heard of its recent revamp and wonderful mtb trails.

My teammates for the night were Steven, Adri and Lizelle, my Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge teammates. Max kindly gave us an entry in support of our preparation for ADAC - thank you Max (and Bex) - and we were looking forward to this fun relay event. We're also doing Max's Triple Challenge event in early November too.

I stopped at Asia City in Bruma on my way to pick up some goodies for the fancy dress component of the event. We were really only one of two teams who dressed up. I thought that we looked better, but the other guys, who cycled in chef outfits - pants and jacket (sans chef's hats, which would have looked good) won the prize. Our wigs, specs and glo-sticks rocked - coordinated outfits would have made us sure winners ;)

The relay format is a 5km loop that each person runs, relay-style, as they pass the glo-stick batton to their next person.

Lovely course, easy smooth trails and great vibe in the transition/finish area. There was music, a big screen and much festivity and shouting as runners came in and out. The bikers were on different trails to the runners and we didn't really pay them much attention. The biking winners - Team Garmin, I think (Mannie and Philip I think it was) - flew around the course to really whip everyone else.

On the run course, the Nedbank mixed team won (yes, they beat the Nedbank mens team... ja, weird...) and an adventure racing team (Piers and company, I think Jane and Nathan and can't think of the other?) came second. Woooohooo!

A super evening out and a late night getting home... We all needed to be up early in the morning to run at Suikerbosrand.
* Upper photo by Jacques Marais.

Some pics from the evening...


Lizelle

Steven

Steven making good time on his 5km lap

Steven & Adri

Adri

Lisa & Steven

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