.WHAT RACE ARE YOU RUNNING?RUNNING THE RACE OF ADVENTURE
.WHAT RACE ARE YOU RUNNING?RUNNING THE RACE OF ADVENTURE
The privilege growing up near the foot of one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature of Table Mountain and spending many a year there playing on the massif kind of prevented us from traversing the Cape Flats and exploring the mountain range east of Cape Town in the Hottentots-Holland Mountain Catchment Area.
Knowing full well that Cape Nature’s Jonkershoek Nature Reserve existed, it was a trail race that got us to enjoy this new place to us that we probably never would have ventured to otherwise. Enjoy this Tale of running the 38 and 21.5 kilometre races for Joseph and Lisa respectively within this reserve and the MTO Trails on a beautiful Western Cape autumn day in South Africa.
Taking part in The Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge of the race organiser Wildrunner, one is ensured a variety of terrain underfoot including jeep type tracks, single track, mountain bike, and remote wilderness trails – with some next level ascent over a short distance.
Even after entering for this race, deliberation still persisted when Joseph weighed up if carrying the extra weight he would necessitate in running with the camera to snap some shots would be worth it - time would tell...
Berg River Saddle, left, on the ridge line is a significant high point to reach.
Looking back down the magnificient Jonkershoek valley where the 38 kilometer race circumnavigates around its slopes.
Significant high point at 1138 masl, Berg River Saddle, looking 180 degrees in the opposite direction to the photograph above, provided a high point in the race that made all the effort and running with the camera so worthwhile.
Looking north from the saddle at the ruggedness of the Cape Fold Mountains of the Jonkershoek.
The trail continued south and upwards traversing the slopes of the ruggedness.
Looking back at the Berg River Saddle.
Triglav, Julian Alps in Europe came to mind as the descent neared.
Joseph traversing the Sosyskloof - Swartboskloof Contour nearing the end of the race.