Satori Camel Run 10 Miler Classic
What better way to bring in Spring than by running my first 10 mile race!
Date 1 September 2013
Event: Satori Camel Run 10 Miler Classic (16.1kms)
Venue: Noordhoek Sports Fields off Chapmans Peak Drive.
So Spring arrived officially in the southern hemisphere, one would not say so in Cape Town considering the awful wet weather we had in the week leading up to this race. I entered this race back in July, only 1000 entries allowed and judging by the rapidness that entries went this is a very popular race. Entries closed sometime in August whereupon additional entries were made available at much higher price with proceeds going to charities. The 1001st entry is then usually auctioned off to the highest bidder with proceeds once again going to the various charities. Training for this race from me consisted of some gym work and a 12km training run the weekend before. With the wet weather in Cape Town there was a bit of concern that the race would not happen but my fears were allayed on collecting my registration pack the Saturday day before race where they advised the race would take place and the forecast was for good weather. I received also a sms the night before advising of parking arrangements as well as that there was minor adjustments to the route and that we should expect some muddy fun. Kudos to the organizers for keeping us in touch. The weather on the day was bit chilly with no wind involved. Left house at around 6:25, got to the venue around 7:10 (40km distance to venue from my house), parking was an issue as we arrived quite late but we managed to get a spot not too far from the start. No registration required as it was all done beforehand and because of the popularity of the race no registration done on the day. Cost was R70 for a temp runner like me. Let’s be clear though this is not your normal road running event and consists of running some trails as well which made for great fun. As the website states “A beautiful yet challenging 'road' run with a difference.The Satori Camel Run route will lead you past equestrian estates, with scarecrows keeping a close watch on you at Noordhoek Farm Village, along shady tree-lined roads and through Ohio Farm where you will absorb our tranquil, country-feel surroundings”. These words definitely rung true as I ran this fabulous route. Close to the 3km mark we ran past the Cape Vineyards with an almighty steep hill, I decided to conserve energy and rather walk that hill. The downhill past the vineyard was much better. We also ran through or past the Monkey Hill Valley Resort. The camel run passed through 7 pieces of private land, nothing more refreshing than to awaken the senses than running a trail filled with steep hills past the vineyards, equestrian estates, in mud & horse shit with soaking wet shoes. This race was tough but in the end I managed to complete in a respectable (for me) +- 1h55min. I was aiming for under 2 hours. I would not recommend this race for novices. My partner Unfit Gal who usually runs but never trained for this race struggled big time and never made the cut-off time which was 2h30min. She however did complete the race so well done to her. So all in all it was a fun race, the scenery and trail were awesome so let’s give out some stars (5 being excellent, 4 very good, 3 average 2.poor 1.weak)
Organization (from Marshall's to volunteers to traffic officials to registration) = 5
• Scenery (Countryside, Horses, Green Grass Vineyards) = 5 p.s there is a stretch on Noordhoek beach as well which was unfortunately cut from the race due to the heavy rainfalls
• Ease of Race (Tough) = 4
• Effect on Legs next day = 4 (For Unfit Gal this was 5)
• Refreshments (just water along the route with coke midway and at the end) = 3
• Crowd to Support = 2
(Unfortunately Early Sunday mornings do not attract crowds however there were some enthusiastic children at the water points who provided laughs and encouragement)
• Quality of Medal at Finish (I think all completed runners received) = 4 Awesome running buff given at the end which was different from the usual plastic medals and something you can use in future.
• Fellow Runners (1000) = 4 (People seemed to be having a blast)
• Overall Rating = 5
If you enjoy running in Cape Town this is an event you should do once in your running lifetime. Just remember enter early; I will definitely be back next year for this race.
What better way to bring in Spring than by running my first 10 mile race!
Date 1 September 2013
Event: Satori Camel Run 10 Miler Classic (16.1kms)
Venue: Noordhoek Sports Fields off Chapmans Peak Drive.
So Spring arrived officially in the southern hemisphere, one would not say so in Cape Town considering the awful wet weather we had in the week leading up to this race. I entered this race back in July, only 1000 entries allowed and judging by the rapidness that entries went this is a very popular race. Entries closed sometime in August whereupon additional entries were made available at much higher price with proceeds going to charities. The 1001st entry is then usually auctioned off to the highest bidder with proceeds once again going to the various charities. Training for this race from me consisted of some gym work and a 12km training run the weekend before. With the wet weather in Cape Town there was a bit of concern that the race would not happen but my fears were allayed on collecting my registration pack the Saturday day before race where they advised the race would take place and the forecast was for good weather. I received also a sms the night before advising of parking arrangements as well as that there was minor adjustments to the route and that we should expect some muddy fun. Kudos to the organizers for keeping us in touch. The weather on the day was bit chilly with no wind involved. Left house at around 6:25, got to the venue around 7:10 (40km distance to venue from my house), parking was an issue as we arrived quite late but we managed to get a spot not too far from the start. No registration required as it was all done beforehand and because of the popularity of the race no registration done on the day. Cost was R70 for a temp runner like me. Let’s be clear though this is not your normal road running event and consists of running some trails as well which made for great fun. As the website states “A beautiful yet challenging 'road' run with a difference.The Satori Camel Run route will lead you past equestrian estates, with scarecrows keeping a close watch on you at Noordhoek Farm Village, along shady tree-lined roads and through Ohio Farm where you will absorb our tranquil, country-feel surroundings”. These words definitely rung true as I ran this fabulous route. Close to the 3km mark we ran past the Cape Vineyards with an almighty steep hill, I decided to conserve energy and rather walk that hill. The downhill past the vineyard was much better. We also ran through or past the Monkey Hill Valley Resort. The camel run passed through 7 pieces of private land, nothing more refreshing than to awaken the senses than running a trail filled with steep hills past the vineyards, equestrian estates, in mud & horse shit with soaking wet shoes. This race was tough but in the end I managed to complete in a respectable (for me) +- 1h55min. I was aiming for under 2 hours. I would not recommend this race for novices. My partner Unfit Gal who usually runs but never trained for this race struggled big time and never made the cut-off time which was 2h30min. She however did complete the race so well done to her. So all in all it was a fun race, the scenery and trail were awesome so let’s give out some stars (5 being excellent, 4 very good, 3 average 2.poor 1.weak)
Organization (from Marshall's to volunteers to traffic officials to registration) = 5
• Scenery (Countryside, Horses, Green Grass Vineyards) = 5 p.s there is a stretch on Noordhoek beach as well which was unfortunately cut from the race due to the heavy rainfalls
• Ease of Race (Tough) = 4
• Effect on Legs next day = 4 (For Unfit Gal this was 5)
• Refreshments (just water along the route with coke midway and at the end) = 3
• Crowd to Support = 2
(Unfortunately Early Sunday mornings do not attract crowds however there were some enthusiastic children at the water points who provided laughs and encouragement)
• Quality of Medal at Finish (I think all completed runners received) = 4 Awesome running buff given at the end which was different from the usual plastic medals and something you can use in future.
• Fellow Runners (1000) = 4 (People seemed to be having a blast)
• Overall Rating = 5
If you enjoy running in Cape Town this is an event you should do once in your running lifetime. Just remember enter early; I will definitely be back next year for this race.
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