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Pondo preamble

5th - 6th May 2023- Midnight to Sunrise to Noon

Prelude to the Pondo Ultra 26th-28th May 2023 when two Trail Dawg teams will run a103km, a single stage trail run, from Port Edward to Port St Johns along the Wild Coast to raise funds for the Miles for Smiles Foundation and Pondoland Conservation Trust.
(See bottom of the page for donation link)

Below King's Block House (image: Malik Benzeghiba).

Moon setting from the Pitstop on the Missing Link!

Suikerbossie sunrise! Dodging security guards.

Post syphoning a Landy..water collection, Camps Bay.

Sneaking through Orangekloof:).

It takes a 5th Wind!

Sometimes you just have to syphon a Landy...

By Noah Schermbrucker

The sensible time to start any 70km run is obviously midnight. 4am is too late and cuts into valuable post run beers. Sleep deprivation creates a fuzzy warm ambience and detachment from reality not dissimilar to that achieved through other means at Afrika Burns.

With these thoughts in mind several intrepid adventurers debated the value of 2 hours sleep vs no sleep and a couple of beers, before meeting at midnight Constantia Nek for a bit of a loop (Ps. The beers won). The gees was strong to start! So strong that Glynis and Trevor blasted off at a rapid pace up the first hill merrily chatting away (advice: when running 70km walk the first hill). Having calmed down to a mild state of panic commentary turned to the excellent weather planned by route master Trevor – full moon, no wind and pockets of warmth amidst the crisp forest trails. Lekker !

Having taken a few wrong turns and added some extra elevation the team regrouped on Tafelberg Road for some easy kilometers before looping lions head (advice: always include easy kms in a long run). Lions Head proved eventful. After almost running over a porcupine at at the start of the trail, loud music drew us upwards. Wrapped in a time bubble one forgets its Friday night and ouks are jolling and 3am is the prefect time for a little romantic pitstop! Framed against the moonlight the young couple were entwined on the hood of a mini-cooper prompting Dean to loudly ask “is this the aid station” and Trevor to whimsically muse “oh to be young again”!. I just tripped and smashed my elbow – the first effort on my way to “man of the match” performance.

The darkness crept in the cold air around 4am at Kloof Corner. Ok yes it was dark (literally) but what I refer to here is the gnawing doubt the crowds the mind, weakens the resolve and gradually causes your soul to leak out through your bloodshot eyes. The long-distance runner’s darkness (advice: get up and keep moving, stagnation causes feet to sink into the ground). After pulling ourselves towards ourselves and slurping down a teaspoon of cement the team pushed through less formidable terrain towards the sunrise finding our “Pondo Plod” (advice: if you can maintain witty banter while running you not going too fast).

After stealing water from the Jerry can attached to the back of a Land Rover (James said he knew the guy but I am not convinced) we followed the Missing Link (the name of a path not a sleep induced hallucination of Australopithecus) towards Suikerbossie. The path ended at Apostles Battery and rather than getting shot by security we descended a treacherous scree towards the highway. In my infinite wisdom I decided the drop off was manageable. It obviously wasn’t and to Malik’s amusement I proceeded to ninja downwards amidst the rubble and detritus of my bruised ego – man of the match award won! (advice: don’t be that pampoen)

Constantia Nek arrived after 45km. Friendly faces, warm coffee and the restoration of frayed spirits – daylight too. Some new faces joined for the final slog home while others called it a night (advice: have friends join in to support and participate – makes all the difference). A sharp, steep climb on legs that rested for too long called for an offering to the gods once the mountain was crested. Herbal remedies fitting for the occasion were inhaled by some party members – a homage to brethren at Afrika Burns with attached dubious medicinal benefits for tired legs and minds.

The undulating monotony of Level 5 ticked over amidst fresh banter and the distant smell of home. A line was cast out and the kilometers reeled slowly in – 50, 55,60, 65. With the easier terrain legs turned over and distance diminished One final break at the bottom of the wagon trail before the final push home to the striped horse and a well-deserved beer or 5. 12 hours and 73km – no better way to spend a Friday night and Saturday morning! (advice: always try finish downhill and at a bar).

Postscript: Intended to go home, shower and head back out. Woke up fully clothed Sunday morning having left the house wide open !

So a huge Thank you to all Pondo Preamble participants and seconders for your support!

Trevor Jacobs, Noah Schermbrucker, Dean Priestman, Jason Peckham, James Eve Malik Benzeghiba, Glynis Humphrey, Andrew Randles, Stefanie Brunke, Emily Harty, Dylan Harty, Ashley Blake & Kirsty van Niekerk (M.I.A. Dion Millson).

(See donation links below 👇 )