by Bob Norris
THE village and surrounds of Rhodes are one of South Africa's most notable winter wonderlands and every July runners who have been fortunate enough to make the entry cut head towards the mountains.
The Liberty Medical Scheme Rhodes Trail Run has built up a huge reputation for slick organisation.
The event started in 1989 and is today in the extremely capable hands of Evie and Darrell Raubenheimer who have, in addition, ensured that there is a substantial social responsibility aspect to the event. In short, the race puts back into the community rather than runners fleetingly coming in and then waltzing away.
Records are for students of sport but it is good to pitch oneself against a standard and thus there will be those who go out to enjoy the day and others who will push themselves, chasing the race best times and those of King and Queen of the Kloof.
The latter times are held by Dirkie Moolman who, in 1995 reached this pinnacle point in 1:53 and Tammy Kelly who remains Queen of all time, with a 2:29:36, run in 2007.
There is an old route and a new route with Trevor Toerien setting a 4:30:50 last year as opposed to former Comrades star, Charl Mattheus running 3:51:43 on the old route.
Kelly holds the 5:27:50 new route record, while Erina du Toit ran 5:40:29 on the old version. Tomorrow will be the test as to who of the next generation will emerge.
The Liberty Medical Scheme Rhodes Trail Run has built up a huge reputation for slick organisation.
The event started in 1989 and is today in the extremely capable hands of Evie and Darrell Raubenheimer who have, in addition, ensured that there is a substantial social responsibility aspect to the event. In short, the race puts back into the community rather than runners fleetingly coming in and then waltzing away.
Records are for students of sport but it is good to pitch oneself against a standard and thus there will be those who go out to enjoy the day and others who will push themselves, chasing the race best times and those of King and Queen of the Kloof.
The latter times are held by Dirkie Moolman who, in 1995 reached this pinnacle point in 1:53 and Tammy Kelly who remains Queen of all time, with a 2:29:36, run in 2007.
There is an old route and a new route with Trevor Toerien setting a 4:30:50 last year as opposed to former Comrades star, Charl Mattheus running 3:51:43 on the old route.
Kelly holds the 5:27:50 new route record, while Erina du Toit ran 5:40:29 on the old version. Tomorrow will be the test as to who of the next generation will emerge.
