The excitement and anticipation at the start was electric.

Eager, sometimes nervous parents stood either proudly by to watch and support or to jog/walk with if the age of the child demanded it.

There were to be winners up front – yes, but there would be no losers among the 216 finishers, as each gave of their best on the day and every competitor is now a pioneer of this event. Something to share with children and grandchildren one day.

The 216 will grow, indeed explode and do not be surprised at 500 odd next year and before we know it 1000 is a possible.

For the records the race was won overall by a girl – Tyla Phillips who completed the somewhat shortened route in 18:17. It was a fantastic run.

The boys may feel aggrieved, but they need not be as many of us seasoned runners long ago learnt to be beaten by a woman, particularly at Comrades.

Ethan de Beer was the first boy home and he too ran beautifully to finish in 18:28.

Thereafter followed Auke Liebenberg, Luke Malherbe, Liam Venter and Matt Dewar in the boys race.

Danielle Roets was second girl home accompanied by Khanya Jack in the same time of 20:59.

All competitors are now the proud owners of the coveted Surfers t-shirt and we can be sure they’ll be showing it off to their friends.

A nursery for future Surfers is born.

Hanlie Botha has been a stand out performer at Surfers whenever she has run, and young Jessica Pollock was a surprise package in 2010 when, as an unknown 16 year old, she won the race.

Disappointment was rife this year as Botha would not be running due to having recently given birth.

Surfers had however attracted a new fan in Myrette Filmalter, an international athlete who ran an “unofficial” second in 2011. She had stumbled across the race in a coffee shop on the morning thereof.

The organisers wisely decided to fly Filmalter down to race in 2012.

Pollock meanwhile had moved on to study medicine in Cape Town and was not going to be able to make it back. The all rounder had much to keep her occupied. That all changed when on the morning of the race, mom Shirley phoned to see if she could be entered as Jessica was desperate to run. There was a flight that would get her to EL Airport by 1:30 p.m.. The airport is on the western seaboard and the race would start at 2:30 on the eastern seaboard. The distance was not the problem – the traffic congestion to the start would be. Throwing caution to the wind she made the journey, once dad had agreed to funding the trip.

Pollock admitted afterwards that is was all a blur as she raced from one point to the next. “Only when I got to the start line did I wake up.” said the waif of a girl.

Pretoria based Myrette had meanwhile been in East London for some time and was able to ease into the race.

Filmalter was not in charitable mood once the race started and she shot to the front. Pollock, just 18 years old and still in-experienced in top flight running gave chase as best she knew how.

Filmalter made the difficult, rocky and because of the high tide very narrow first 6km look a “parkrun.” Pollock too glided her way across.

Andrea Ranger and Steph Ackermann were meanwhile fighting it out for 3rd and 4th position.

Filmalter never lost a stride and she powered her way to win in what appears to be a new women’s race record of 78:21 – beating Botha’s best of 78:35 set in 2008, but that was on a course one kilometre shorter so this is definitely a new course record – 81:50 being the previous best.

Pollock who took 5:28 off her time last year improved by another 4:24 this year, finishing second in 83:31

Ranger ran a good PB and finished third in 88:58, with Ackermann 1:56 further back to finish fourth.

Charne Keese was the stand out surfer girl registering a 2:22:23 win in her category.

Catherine Atkinson’s 79:02 scored her a second successive win in the women’s single ski, while in the mixed section Colin Hall, once a top surfer runner, teamed up with Lynn McAllister to win that section in 71:26.

Zingisile Marikeni was the media’s pre-race favourite and he might well have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat had it not been for Awonke Bungu being the stronger man in the water.

Bungu was the surprise leader for much of the race and enjoyed a 100m lead at Bonza Bay.
He kept looking over his shoulder, as well he might, for Marikeni put in a huge surge and on the approach to the Nahoon River had narrowed the gap to less that 10m.

Marikeni battled in the strongly flowing river and lost ground that he would never make up.

Bungu, who last ran Surfers in 2010 when he finished 5th, became a first time winner in 70:11 – a good time for very difficult conditions. Marikeni ended 32 seconds adrift while old man river, Makaya Masumpa at age 45, chased strongly throughout to finish just 20 seconds off Marikeni.

The 2007 winner, Doran Fritz, was 4th in 71:55

In the running Surfer category Alex Rossouw finished 7th overall to clinch the title for the second year in succession in a time of 75:33.

Bungu beat the first single ski of Hennie Roos by just 15 seconds in what was the tightest contest between the two disciplines in many years. Duncan Boyd, Warren Rieger and Alex Midlane followed Roos home.

Brendon Thompson and Andrew Carter teamed up to win the double ski race and they beat all other categories to the finish with a time of 68:36.

The strong following wind made it a happy day for paddling and while the runners and walkers had benefit too, the high tide, especially on the first 6km section to Gonubie negated much of the advantage offered by the wind.

Walking is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it open up possibilities for many more participants. Linda Poyo turned the tables form last year on Thando Lumkwana to win in 1:50:57.

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!

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!

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…

The Discovery Surfers Challenge is certainly not only for the fast and furious, it is an absolute must for any person feeling up to a fun filled afternoon and who’ll appreciate the absolutely picturesque surroundings and spectacular views from start to finish! Navigating your way down through rocky stretches, strewn with pebbles, some even resemble sizable boulders and then onto the almost never ending beaches, broken every so often by a tidal river or lagoon – acting as obstacles en-route to Nahoon beach. After reaching Gonubie beach the cheers and applause never seemed to subside, all the way from the lagoon through the caravan park, downhill past the Gonubie Hotel right up until the end of the tarred portion of the challenge!

Wow, some other memorable elements worth mentioning are all the sponsored and casual water points… they were fantastic! The spectators carried virtually every participant on a cloud of euphoria right up to the finish line! With all the support along the route from the start at Yellow Sands all the way to Nahoon Beach, fatigue is almost not even a consideration! Swimming through the Nahoon River, close to the finish-line, you suddenly realise the surf skiers are paddling their hearts out to your left, quickly catching up to us runners and suddenly the aim shifts to going stronger and harder!

With the finish line approaching fast you sometimes feel exhausted and alone, but as the banners guide your route, the applause and roars of the crowds of supporters and spectators welcomes you with warmth and empathy.

The sponsors awaiting each finisher and the personal victory of even the youngest participant is tremendous! The caring smiling faces are a celebration for each challenger!

Now, another year later, this spirit still lives on! With the 38th Discovery Surfers Challenge fast approaching, one can only wonder what will unfold this year… when yet another chapter starts. To all the sponsors, thank you for making this event possible once again!

Personally, I took something from this race to share. When difficulties cross your path, make sure that problems that occurred in the past make you prone to use these problems as stepping stones to get to your goal!

Myrette Filmalter

It is well documented that the guys who win are special athletes and all have run at the highest levels of races in South Africa and in some instances, abroad.

What about the guys vying to sneak in to the Top 10 – and the prestige that goes with it?

They will be well educated in the knowledge that the slightest slip in the build up or on race day itself may have them relinquish their dream.

For the purposes of this article let us look at four men who are likely to be knocking on the door come 18 February. All four are at different stages of their careers with one literally starting out and another who has been around a fair while.

The running times of these four men at Surfers over the past three years have a similar thread and in 2010, when the tides were at their highest in memory, they were very close to one another. Interestingly it was the runner with the most experience of the four who triumphed in the conditions.

Hayden Wood finished 10th in 83:36, while Raymond de Klerk was 12th in 84:14, Alex Rossouw 13th in 85:01 and Craig Alers 14th in 85:26.

Not once in the last three years have they all made the top 10 – in fact only once, in 2009 have more than one of them been up there. Wood has made top 10 twice, both occasions in 10th place, but failed last year, finishing 16th. Alers finished 7th in 2009 and was pipped into 11th place last year, while Rossouw was the surprise package in 6th place in 2011. De Klerk has two 12th spots and will be looking for his first Top 10 and yet he has beaten all the others at least once.

Rest assured all are hard at work preparing for the 2012 chapter of Discovery Surfers – what a cracker of a race within a race this could turn out to be.

Over the years there have been some great athletes – mostly African – who have competed successfully in their natural state – feet wise that is.

Zola Budd is the most famous in this neck of the woods, but we have in fact produced numerous Border/Kei locals who have favoured the shoe less state too.

Zola will be in town this weekend {20-22 Jan.} at the 70.3 Ironman Expo. She will also be hosted by the Goons at Beacon Bay Country Club at 5p.m. on Friday for a talk on this subject and a short run thereafter. There is no charge, but with space limited contact me to secure a spot.

Herbert Ndzondza was a fabulous masters runner {over 50} who ran barefoot in the marathon – yip on tar.

The Border Masters Association bought Herbert top of the range shoes, but I cannot recall that he ever finished a race in them.

Herbert represented Border for a good few years and we were often teased by the administrators of other provinces about not looking after our runners.

Maureen Dladla a top female runner started her career barefoot, while Philip Quvana one of the provinces fastest runners was always barefoot.

Buzelwa Nyanda held the Border Marathon record for many years and she ran barefoot.

I decided to test this out, starting with what they call minimalist shoes. I had been battling with a motor car induced knee ligament problem and all said I was crazy.

Whether it was the shoes or not, the injury cleared up.

More recently and not having done much training I took to the Gonubie Golf Course shoeless. At first only a kilometre or so, but gradually I have built up to 8km and loving the freedom that it offers. I have run on the fairways, in the rough and over gravel paths – only the sharpish seeds from the pine trees have caused a small degree of discomfort, but I expect that too will decipate with time.

Would I run Surfers barefoot, as some folk have done? Not the first leg of boulders to Gonubie, but thereafter I may well consider it.

What has surprised me the most is the natural grip that your toes offer, allowing me to mount some steep grass slopes, that with ordinary road shoes I’d have slipped back on.

The debate is interesting and I do not believe that the experiences over so short a span of time of an aging runner produces any answers, but I am going to listen to Zola, who interestingly, now represents the minimalist shoe range, Newton.

I’ll let you know what she thinks.