ABOUT 200 people gathered for the first-ever Vodacom Tandele Trail Run hosted by the Mbango Valley Conservancy last week Saturday.
I attended this event with my wife Michelle with the intention of encouraging her through the 5km event.
We all lined up at the start at 6am and the 5km participants, of which there were 30, were asked to climb into various support vehicles in order for them to drive us to the start.
Cheers of delight rang out as I approached a police vehicle for a lift.
However, it was made apparent to me when questioning the cheers that it looked as if I was being arrested for not attempting the 10km.
We arrived at the start area which nestled under a rather large mountain and were instructed to follow the trail to the top and back.
We duly set off and I made sure that Michelle remained in front of me as we started to summit the hill.
A mere three minutes into our climb my gorgeous wife turned to me pouring with perspiration and uttered, out of breath, that she had had enough and her unique physique was not designed for this.
I had very few encouraging words to give her at this point, solely because I felt exactly the same way, but never showed obvious signs of discomfort due to my brilliant acting skills.
When she reads this in today’s paper she’ll be the first to point a finger in my face as she says I told you it wasn’t easy.
Our hour and a half long journey took us through the most beautiful and breathtaking viewpoints that could only be matched with the same beauty as the Drakensberg.
I walked with conservancy members and gained valuable insight concerning the Mzimkhulu River water project and the effect it has not only on us as humans but the wildlife too.
On completing this event Michelle and I were asked by the emcee whether we would attempt the walk again,
Michelle’s answer was brilliant. “If Wimpy Schlehmeyer, who only has one leg could complete this race so comfortably, then everyone should attempt it, and yes, we will be back,” she said.
Well done to Raj Naganna and his team for organising the event.
A reminder that the 5km/10km Christmas fun run/walk is on Friday, November 27 at 5.30pm. Entry fee is R20 and there are prizes up for grabs for the best Christmas running outfit.
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