Mark Twain is often incorrectly credited with that well known line "the only two certainties in life are death and taxes". The origin of that well used quotation can be attributed to either Benjamin Franklin (1789) or more probably to Christopher Bullock (1716).

It really does not matter who said it, as clearly the gentlemen had no idea that here in the southern Drakensberg another certainty would spring up.

As certain as winter follows autumn, and as certain as the winter chill brings sheep off the highlands to shelter from snow squalls, there is a group of mountain runners bracing themselves for that third certainty of life - if it's winter and cold, it must be time for the Rhodes Trail Run.

July will see the 23rd Liberty Medical Scheme Rhodes Trail Run and Barkly East will once again have representation on the start line.

Billy Mollentze will be aiming to secure his blue ‘snowflake' permanent number with his third finish. Last year Billy took a massive 1½ hours off his 2009 time finishing in a very impressive 39th position.

The organiser of the Rhodes Trail Run, Evie Raubenheimer, is sponsoring the entry of well know local athlete Mbulelo Speelman who finished 4th in 2006.

Another certainty is that the notorious Mavis Bank is waiting for the runners. The lung searing gradient is usually referred to in the female form, and while Dame Mavis has a nice ring to it on 16 July you'll probably hear her being referred to as damn Mavis!

Good luck to our Barkly East runners.