"Clear the bridge"

In recent years spectators at the finish area have appeared confused when the PA system crackles, asking them to "Clear the bridge".

Confused as there does not appear to be a drain pipe little less a bridge along the finishing straight.

Another Rhodes Trail Run tradition, kept alive by the announcers at the finish area outside the Farmer's Hall.

As you enter Rhodes, the building on your left immediately before you cross the bridge over the Tintern Spruit was the old 'Community Centre'. In the early years the Run started and finished across the road from the Caravan Park, outside the then 'Community Centre'. The finish line was on the Barkly East side of the bridge. 

During the course of the day it was usual for spectators to dawdle over and linger on the bridge, generally getting in the way of the runners as they finished ...and confusing the officials!

"Clear the bridge" was often heard as Brian did his best to stop the runners having to run through the spruit to avoid the spectator crowded bridge. Although one finisher did hop along the stones on the side wall of the bridge to avoid spectators, and of course "Waltzing" Dave Wright did his signature flourish when he finished.

Spectators still bumble in front of the runners along the finish straight, so even though there is no longer a bridge to cross before the finish line, what better way to retain tradition, and alert spectators, than to warn them to "keep off the bridge".

'Klippies' in the kloof

Since 2001 the St Dominic's Priory High School (Port Elizabeth) outdoor adventure club, the Klipspringers, better known as 'The Klippies', have hiked into the Mavis Bank kloof the day before the run, over nighted in tents in sub zero, and set up a full feeding station (with music, schnapps, sweets, biscuits, oranges, bananas, water and loads of enthusiasm) for the runners

Sherry

The bottle of sherry at the end of the day. What would the Rhodes be without the traditional bottle of sherry every finisher receives on crossing the line? A tradition that subsequently sparked the creation of the 'Rhodes Heater' - one part OBs and two parts Captain Morgan. (No, neither of those beverages are sponsors, they are Rhodes favourites!)

Polar Bears

After the initial run in 1989 the suggestion of starting a Rhodes "Polar Bear" Club was floated (it is a watery subject after all) by Nick Wayvithus (Rhodes Permanent No 35). The Rhodes "Polar Bear" club was launched by the Stella crew after the run the following year. Nick, as prime mover and shaker, was the very first Rhodes "Polar Bear". He was followed into the frozen Bell River by Willie Ward (Permanent No 46), Bill Brackenridge (# 50) and Allan Tintinger (# 91), with Greg Michell (# 92) and the rest of the Stella crew following.

Since then the ritual has moved into the village and those who have completed the race have the option to take a late-night dip in the Bell River in their birthday suits.

Tradition is that one has to crack the ice with your toe at the waters edge to qualify as a true Rhodes Polar Bear.

Pealing of Church Bells

To make sure no-one misses the start, the hamlet is woken on race morning to the pealing of Church bells. This tradition is one of the Race Director's responsibilities on race day.

Cut-Off Blanket

Runners have 4½ hours to reach the Mavis Bank/Lesotho Border Road check-point.

In 2009, with the onset of the third decade of the run, a 'new' tradition was started. The embroidered 'Cut-Off Blanket'.

The first runner to arrive at the 'top' check-point after the 4½ hour cut-off receives a specially embroidered dated fleece blanket. Not an award anyone will aim to receive, but a suitably appropriate memento.

In 2009, with the border road being inaccessible to vehicles due to deep snow drifts, the 'top' check-point was moved to the Carlislehoek/Lesotho Border Road T-junction (and the cut-off extended to 6 hours).

In 2009 the blanket was presented by 'Waltzing' Dave Wright, a two times Rhodes Trail Run finisher.

Photo credit : Julia Stephens - DM Kisch Inc