Challenging beach run conquered

BEACH running is definitely not for sissies! And the guys and gals who gathered at the Maphelane lighthouse for the start of the 2nd annual Zululand Multi Sports Club 50km beach run and walk certainly didn’t look faint-hearted.

The athletes took to the beach on Saturday morning for the first leg of the challenge after being hosted at the lighthouse for Friday night.

The start had to be delayed by an hour as the organisers received a warning from the NSRI of high spring tides with dangerous rip currents.

With slightly overcast skies and the wind from behind, the first stretch to Nhlabane was over before tired legs or aching feet slowed the athletes too much, but there were quite a few blisters to tend to while the group relaxed on the beach or catnapped in their tents for the rest of the day.

Early Sunday morning, it was laces tied, sun block on and water bottles full before running and walking the second leg home to Richards Bay.

The day was hot and humid with a slight tailwind and the athletes took a little more strain despite their level of fitness – beach running is more fatiguing on the calf muscles, which challenged the athletes.

But the entire field arrived back in Richards Bay in hearty spirits, having conquered the challenge of body over beach, which couldn’t have been achieved without the superb organisation of Casper Kriel and Igna Freuysen and their very professional club team.

The more than enough food and refreshments provided for the nourishment needed, added to the ease of finishing an event of this nature.

Ladies winners, Jo McKenzie and Retha Marre joined men’s winners, Craig Hardwick and Mario Hibbers in celebration on Sunday at midday after putting in the hard yards along the amazing Zululand shoreline, which very few people get to enjoy nowadays.