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A criticism that is often leveled at road running is that it is too much of the “same thing.” The road is the road, the tar is hard and it either goes up or down or stays flat!

That’s one of the reasons that trail running is undergoing something of a renaissance and has become so popular. It doesn’t have that “sameness” element to it.

The Surfers Challenge deserves to be lauded as one of the original runs with a difference because it predicted so much of what would follow. As such the event continues to be a leader in the calendar of South African endurance events.

For obvious reasons I remain a purist, a road running fan, but even I accept that the Surfers deserves its roIe as a challenge with a difference. To me road running is classical music; the Surfers challenge rock and roll. It’s fun, it attracts a different crowd, and it even has an eccentric bunch paddling their way to the finish.

Let me emphasise that the Surfers Challenge is not fun because it is easy. In fact I think it is extremely tough and should not be taken lightly. As I struggle on the rocks and pebbles or waddle my way through thick sand I remind myself that this race is not for sissies. There are uplifting moments, such as the first sight of the distant finish area at Nahoon or the cheering crowds in Gonubie (its bliss to run those 5kim or so on Gonubie’s Ocean Way, but much of the Surfers Challenge is just that; a challenge. For a start no one seems to be certain how far it is. Estimates vary from Tom Cottrell’s Runner’s Guide’s 16.5kms to Bob Norris’s 18kms. It doesn’t really matter. All I know is that the next day I always have a pronounced limp and my legs tell me I ran a marathon effort.

But we all keep coming back: Perhaps it’s Neville and his organizing committee backed by invaluable sponsorship from Discovery that makes it so special; perhaps it’s those exhilarating swims across the two rivers. Most likely it’s the party afterwards. In my case I will be running my sixth Surfers Challenge because I am granted the singular honour of being the only runner allowed to wear the Discovery Surfer’s Challenge finishers T shirt at the start!

I sit at a desk strategically positioned, cornered actually, in the “John Henry” – our pub at home you understand – the rain, she is falling outside, in as copious a number of inches as we have downed ales herein – or so it seems.

The thought occurred as to how would heavy rain effect a runner of the Discovery Surfers Challenge, should race day turn out so?

For one thing we will get wet sooner than the first river crossing at Gonubie and if it has rained for a couple of days that gravel start will be a good deal more testing and slippery than the norm.

Due to the higher than usual tides rock jumping will be more prevalent than usual. Wet rocks are tricky and no invitation to a picnic.

Footwear becomes a serious issue, as the usual running shoe is not even dry rock friendly.

An asset of the rain would mean that we stay cooler for longer, which is great unless we forget to drink at the feeding stations because of it. Like we could consider skipping the drink to make up time on our opponents – only problem is we could, and probably will, dehydrate as humidity will still be high.

Running in the rain is great though; it makes one feel like being a kid again – thus uplifting the spirits during the race.

Ignoring the first section to Gonubie and the probability of wet rocks to slow our progress, our times would be positively affected later on- unless o f course the rain is accompanied by a strong west wind.

Today’s wind, as I write, is south-easterly of nature so that would help more than hinder.

What about the rivers though? They have been running pretty heavy as it is, so sustained heavy rains up river will certainly add to the challenge. Hmm..interesting thoughts of arriving in Australia are surfacing.

While we could have a lot of fun in the rain it would impact negatively on the overall experience in that there will be fewer spectators, as they do tend to be fair weather of nature. Few would blame them.

Fewer spectators equates to less encouragement and more opportunity to throw in the towel if the going gets tough??

The finish too would simply not be the same with wet runners and there followers likely to high tale it for home.

Verdict? Bring on the sun!

For all the people out there who strive to make every opportunity a challenge… the Discovery Surfer’s Challenge is definitely an invitation for you!

I certainly love a challenge!

Thinking back, I remember the 2011 Discovery Surfers Challenge, as clear as yesterday. Not only the spectacular summer’s day, but also to the warm, homely welcome from every local spectator, the holiday makers and the awesome sponsors.

For a Gauteng couple on weekend break, it was yet another adventure… only to find out that the ‘discovery’ is not over until the last runner or surfer crosses the finish-line at Nahoon beach!

The morning of the 12^th of February 2011 started with a typical 8 km daily training run followed by a delightful breakfast where we noticed the street to be crowded by traffic cones and people in preparation for… Suspicion grew but had yet to be resolved.

My inquisitiveness was killing me and it was the owner of a coffee shop in Gonubie who informed us about an annual event about to take place in the early afternoon.  We briefly discussed the possibilities of taking part in this event and I spontaneously decided to give it a shot. Thinking back the decision might have been a little impulsive, but wow, (after a slight detour to the other side of the gentle Kwelera river), arriving at the start we found a sizable crowd of people stretching, jogging, and preparing ‘surfing‘, running and walking gear in anticipation of the challenge… kits to be collected, laces to be tightened, sunblock to be applied to so many people. This is a BIG event… Readmore…

For many years traditional road runners have tried to frighten other runners out of running the Discovery Surfers. Given that the event has grown from a field of just 26 at inception to the 3000 mark in 2011 we can tell hugely successful the doomsayers have been and how the horror stories have generally failed.
One of the big bogey suggestions spread is that “you will fall and injure yourself.” Well being a most prolific faller – I have now perfected the roll – let me tell you runners can fall anywhere, like smooth tar roads; anytime, like in a race, on a training run and it does not stop them from bouncing back for more.
I recall a while back we had just done a bush run in the dark, and those are tricky to negotiate, but not once did any of us fall.
Once on the road back to our cars however, I tripped over absolutely nothing and badly gashed my knee.
Running Surfers won’t hurt you, unless you are unfit, but you yourself might hurt you by being careless on the run.
The other question that I am frequently asked is, “if Surfers is just one week away from the Buffs Marathon should I give it a skip?”
Two weeks would be ideal, but Surfers is only 17.5km and one would generally run 16-20km in training the week before a marathon anyway, so my advice is go for it.
Besides Surfers is such a great” feel good” event, that it will only have a positive effect on the marathon and ones running in general.
The question as to whether to race Surfers or simply jog through depends very much on the preparation that has gone into the marathon.
I would tend to simply keep the main opposition in my sights until Gonubie Hotel and then let loose – there is so much fun to be had catching others with the crowds egging you on.
So to race or not to race? Work out the best tactics to suit your strengths and give it a good go.