Women runners from Blairgowrie-based running club complete the Two Oceans successfully
BLAIRGOWRIE – Local runners take 9th, 11th and 12th place at the Two Oceans ultra marathon.
Apart from fielding 170 runners in the Old Mutual Two Oceans ultra and half marathons, EasyEquities Born2Run, a Blairgowrie-based running club, boasted great success from its women’s elite team.
The running club is proud of Stephanie Smith, Julanie Basson and Salome Cooper, who finished 9th, 11th and 12th in the women’s division of the ultra marathon respectively.
Read: Salome is ultra special
Photo: Supplied
Smith said after giving birth eight months ago that she was hardly fit when her club entered her in the race and felt she was lucky to be in an elite team.
“As I was running, spectators shouted that I was in the top 10 or close to the top 10. I didn’t want to waste this opportunity and the last 6km I ran as fast as I could. I wasn’t sure if I was in the top 10 until I finished,” Smith said.
“The finish was amazing. People shouted my name. A towel was wrapped around me. My team members and coach were there at the finish line hugging me. I couldn’t believe it. A gold medal for me is something that only happens in dreams.”
For Basson, the key was starting the race slower than she did on previous occasions and finishing strong at the end.
“I finished in 11th position and did not get a gold like I did in the previous two years, but I was still very pleased with my result,” Bassion said.
“What I personally took from the 2017 run is that hard work will eventually pay off. Never stop believing.”
For Cooper, a 12th place finish after a 12-year break from the race was amazing.
“My biggest challenge was at Constantia Nek because the road curves up the long slope and you don’t see the end. I hadn’t done it in such a long time so I couldn’t remember how long the hill was,” Cooper said.
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