The Liqui-Fruit Forever Wild Weekend @ Sanbona kicked off on Friday 13th September in the spectacular Tradouw
Valley. Only 200 entries were released ensuring that same intimate atmosphere that was created in 2012. Entries
were sold out within days as competitors clamoured to be part of this event.
Two additional races were added to the mix in the form of a 5km trail run and a 15km MTB with the aim of involving
as many guests as possible in the activities. Competitors had a choice of 8 races over the weekend including
mountain biking, trail running and night rides/runs. The majority of the field chose to stay with us, camping at the
race village, whilst those lucky enough to secure a suite at one of Sanbona’s 5-star lodges got to live it up for the
weekend.
Spirits were high at registration on Friday night and excitement was in the
air for the competitors spending the night under the stars in the middle of
Wildlife Reserve no more than 500m away from Hippo Dam. Every
participant was treated to a very generous goody bag courtesy of LiquiFruit, Glider Eyewear, Birlin Man and 4 Flavour just in case they weren’t
excited enough about the weekend ahead.
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Saturday was certainly jam packed with adventure and activities. The options for the morning, a 64km, 30km or
15km mountain bike race traversing the southernmost part of the 54,000 hectare reserve. Conditions were nippy at
the start with the skies threatening to open. Luckily for the 150 competitors on the start line, the weather held up.
The recent rains added some great spots for our photographers to catch a few riders getting nice and dirty as they
made their way through the reserve wearing their brand new Glider sunglasses. Those who took the time to
appreciate the scenery during their ride spotted the zebra, gemsbok, wildebeest, jackals, rhebok and even hippo.
The results from the Saturday morning mountain bike races were impressive and Jarryd Hayley deserves a special
mention. He was leading the 64km mountain bike race when the marshals sent him in the wrong direction. Despite
doing an extra 8km he managed to claw his way back to the front and take 1st place. The podium looked as follows:
Pos
1
2
3
15km
Emile Pirouz
Michael Davis
Jan Loubser
Male
30km
Holden Marshall
Sean Oberholzer
Zandre Finkelstein
64km
Jarryd Haley
Simon Swemmer
Dawie Carstens
15km
Astrid Caussanel
Marietjie Steyn
Olesya Loubser
Female
30km
Reanda Vos
Amy Ebedes
Debi Grotepass
64km
Dominique Provoyeur
Nienke van Schaik
Ilana Steenkamp
Everyone was welcomed back with an ice cold Liqui-Fruit to quench their thirst and some Hammer Recoverite to
ensure a speedy recovery ahead of the remaining events. Our massage therapists, Claudine van de Vente and Lana
Glen had their hands full, as many of the competitors needed all the help they could get in preparing for the night
run/ride and the Sunday morning trail runs.
The fun was far from over; after lunch and a little nap
competitors were treated to some great activities. A “shoot
the rhino poacher” paintball session was set up for the kids,
whilst parents were treated to a wine tasting by Sumsare’
Wines.
Dozens of guests (some of whom had zero rhythm) took part in the
afternoon drumming sessions – what a perfect environment to learn a
few beats on the bongos.
Next up was the night run and MTB, not a race but an opportunity to
stealthily move through the Reserve under the cover of darkness and
experience an entirely different face of the Reserve. The mountain bikers
were lucky enough to have a close encounter with a female hippo and her
calf.
Hungry adventurers returned to the campsite having worked up an appetite
for a delicious lamb on the spit and of course wine generously supplied by
Ashton Cellars, Zandvliet and Sumsare’. The wine continued to flow following
the prize giving and the socialising continued well into the night.
Sunday offered competitors a 21km, 10km or 5km trail run. The wind definitely did not play ball as it gusted through
the race village. Alan Rosewall led the pack and finished his half marathon in just over 98 minutes whilst Angela
Carlisle finished in 116 minutes. That was faster than our route planners could drive the course in a 4x4. Myles and
Angela definitely earned their ice cold Liqui-Fruit as they pulled into the finish.
The race results were truly impressive:
Pos
1
5km
Robbie Moss
Male
10km
Myles SEYMOUR
21km
Alan Rosewall
5km
Marie C Caussanel
Female
10km
Rayne Eaton
21km
Angela Carlisle
2
Emile Pirouz
Andrew Dewey
Dawie Carstens
Astrid Caussanel
carla beyers
Sandra Baetsen
3
Harry Moss
Boris Leyck
Roald Brosius
Christine Thonissen
Claire Warren
Bianca Grotepass
Some special awards were deemed necessary:
•
•
•
The Tortoise Trophies, for the competitors that took the longest to complete their course, were won by Jack
Thonissen and Debi Grotepass
the Fashionably Challenged Trophy - Simon Swemmer
the Technically Challenge Trophy – Tulga Saffery
Prize giving saw all 12 podium finishers and many more happy competitors walking away with amazing prizes from
our generous sponsors including, Liqui-Fruit hampers, Civvio Sports gear, Hammer Nutrition, OneDayOnly, Glider
Eyewear, Cape Times and Cape Argus Hampers, BB-Runner GPS Watches and of course the grand prize from
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, a 2 night stay for 2 people worth R18,000.
With the help of all of you and the fantastic team from Sanbona, a significant amount of cash was raised for the
Reach For A Dream Foundation and the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative. What a wonderful way to end a
great weekend of multi-sport in the great outdoors.
So what is next on the RaceInterface Calendar?
Join us on the 19th October at Val du Charron, Wellington for The NavChallenge!
Choose your discipline (mountain biking or trail running) as teams of 2 tackle this 3 hour treasure hunt style race
through the Vineyards and forests of Wellington. This is a really fun and exciting event open to novices and the more
experienced adventurer so don’t let yourself be intimidated by a lack of navigation experience. Entries open soon on
the RaceInterface>> Website. Don’t miss out on this great team experience.