The Bushmans Blitz follows the Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail — popularly referred to as the Greyton/McGregor Trail — through the mountains between the two towns. Entries are limited as only 40 permits can be obtained for the day, and I was thrilled to get a place this year.
Angie of Target Events outdid herself this weekend in presenting to a small group of trail runners what to me at least, trail running is all about: an opportunity to run on pristine South African trail, with a small group of like-minded people, in a safe, responsible, organised and fun manner.
Registration was at 07h00. The sun was already up and the weather promised to be perfect, if not a little hot. Numbers were collected and goodie bags were handed out, which included a special edition First Ascent Mens Vader Tee — my current favourite running shirt.
The 32km runners set off just after 08h00. The course heads out toward the Greyton Nature Reserve, making a nice little loop up and down the slopes behind Greyton, into a deep, beautiful kloof, over the river, and then onto the trail itself, and the first serious climb for the day.
Standing in Greyton, you can see the trail winding its way up the mountain into the valley: it is quite a monster! Once at the top of this climb, you are looking toward McGregor and the runnable single-track snakes down ahead of you into the valley. This is where work on the proposed mountain pass between Greyton and McGregor ended on the Greyton side.
Toward the other end of the trail, just before the halfway mark and the turn-around point, there is a fairly substantial climb up some steps and switch-backs before you reach jeep track again. This is where work on the pass ended from the McGregor side. The jeep track continues to climb until the Stone house comes into sight, and shortly afterwards the check-point, where we were met with water, Coca-Cola, muffins, bananas and oranges (I have subsequently decided that fresh oranges are the way forward and should be a standard requirement of all munchie points!).
From here it was a steep single-track descent to the valley floor before closing the loop and rejoining the trail back to Greyton.
Another amazing weekend away, running in the mountains, and chilling in Greyton with great people!
I came 9th in a respectable 3:39:21.
For full results, a photo gallery, and more great adventures, go to the Target Events website
