The second stage of the this year’s Cape Odyssey presented by Salomon, feared by some of the runners to be one of the toughest parts of the race, kicked off in Kleinmond early this morning and ended 52km later at Paul Cluver in Elgin.
The overall leaders for the second stage repeated their victory of day one as the first to cross the finish line. Brothers Jacques and Mauritz Jansen van Rensburg of Mr Price finished Stage 2 in a time of 4 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds. They are also the leaders in the Men’s category.
In second place overall and in the Men’s category were the Salomon Pro team, Ryno Griesel and Arrie de Swardt (04:21:51), who moved up one position from their third place yesterday. They were followed by the Montrail/Capestorm Men team William Robinson and Dion Middelkoop (04:34:29).
First in the Ladies’ division were seasoned runners Linda Doke and Karoline Hanks, running for Salomon Pro Ladies, finishing in a time of 5 hours, 14 minutes and 1 second. The Whippets, Ellie Courts and Tanya Templeton, finished in second position (05:16:14), with the Scottys, Sarah and Kirsty Scott (05:19:05) third.
The Tuks Cousins Jac Steenekamp and Winia Janse van Rensburg took first place in the Mixed category in a time of 4 hours, 35 minutes and 22 seconds. They were followed by the Perfect Storm Dirk Cloete and Heleen Joubert (04:36:02), with the Mojo team John Morison and Moyra Sheard (04:46:29) in third place.
Placed first in the Masters category was Ian Little and Vivienne Williams of Montrail/Capestorm 1 (04:56:07), followed by Harfield Hammers Allan Ryninks and Michael Byron (05:17:48). Yesterday’s winners, Italian team Giovanni Montini and Paolo Bertini (05:22:09) of Icarus Skysport Italy finished in third place.
The accumulated times after stage two placed the Mr Price team first overall as well as in the Men’s category (06:41:08), the Salomon Pro team in second position overall and in the Men’s category (06:50:54), with the Montrail/Capestorm Men in third overall and in the Men’s category (06:58:42). The Perfect Storm is still in the lead in the Mixed division (07:20:48), with Salomon Pro Ladies in the lead in the women’s category (08:20:36). In the Masters, Montreal/Cape Storm 1 has taken the lead (07:51:11).
According to leading team member Jacques Jansen van Rensburg, it was a tough race. “It felt as if most of it was uphill – not steep, but constant. It’s an awesome feeling to get over the finish line first. We come from a very athletic family and it’s really special to run with my brother and great to have Elana’s (Meyer, his partner) support as well as that of our family and friends. We’re running for the JAG Foundation to raise funds for kids – which makes this race extra special. Also, the organisation of this race is outstanding – one never has to look for the route markers while you participate, and the organisers have thought of everything.”
When asked what keeps him going, he referred to a World Cross Country Championship he was at. “A Kenyan won the race, and some supporters were encouraging him along to the finish line. When asked what they were shouting, the translator said ‘Lift his Spirit, he’s already going as fast as he can’. It’s such a privilege to be able to do this!”
The spirit of the mandatory team work during the Cape Odyssey was again proven when Arrie de Swardt of the Salomon Pro team was supported by his team mate Ryno Griesel. “Midway through today’s stage I was getting very tired. Ryno was definitely the ‘Man of the Day’ as he really supported me to the end – carrying my water bottle and pushing me along the way.” Says Griesel: “We’re very happy with our results so far. We were at least 40 minutes faster than last year, making the pace at this year’s Odyssey much faster.”
William Robinson of the Montrail/Capestorm Men team said today’s race was good. “We struggled a bit halfway through the race as it felt as if almost all of it was uphill. However, this year’s 2nd stage was much easier than last year’s and the conditions were far better.”
Linda Doke, of the Salomon Pro ladies team and winner of last year’s event, says Stage 2 was much better than Stage 1. “I’m not a fan of short distances or the beach, and at my happiest in the mountains. The weather was fantastic today as it was overcast and cool. We’re getting stronger by the day and are much more comfortable in tough terrain, so we’re really looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”
The third stage of 42km will take runners from Paul Cluver Wine Estate to Elgin/Grabouw. Groenlandberg, the highlight of the route, and the beautiful Kogelberg Nature Reserve have become highligths on the Cape Odyssey. A steep and rutted jeep track with loose, fist-sized rocks will challenge tired ankles and make it a tough climb for this mid-section of the stage. The 800m altitude gain will reward runners with a superb vista of the Elgin Valley and Theewaterskloof Dam, but runners need to save some strength for the rolling hills that head down towards the Elgin Country Club.
