My Fernkloof Trail Run 2010

Ugene Nel of Quantum Adventures presented a small group of trail runners with another fantastic new trail running event.

The weather in Hermanus was a little grim-looking: cool with misty conditions, and threatening rain. As a result, Ugene insisted that participants had a rainproof jacket and not just a shell on the run with them. I luckily had my CAPESTORM Jacket in my gear bag, rolled it up and tied it around my waist. As it was, I chose to run in my first Ascent Men’s Long Sleeve Trail Tee, over which I had my CAPESTORM Helium Jacket; these two together, though not waterproof, kept me warm and comfortable.

Just less than 30 runners set out on the 24km route. Leaving the starting line, we headed out on the tar past the houses on the hillside before getting onto some comfortable single track on the slopes above the golf course.

The main climb was a relaxed affair on some very runnable single-track following big switchbacks up the mountainside. I was able to keep up a steady running pace for most of the climb. Once higher up the mountainside, there was some more easy climbing as we headed clockwise in a big circle. The fynbos is very dense and lush in this area, making Table Mountain look sparse, and the path was often partly obscured by it.

The route then did a classic “Ugene”. A “Ugene” is when a route heads towards where you know the finishing line to be — in this case right past it — before sending you off on another couple of kilometres in another direction!

As is usual with a Quantum Adventure event, there was a friendly atmosphere at the finish with lots of friendly banter. An informal prize-giving saw everyone receive a prize of some sort — I came away with a great pair of first Ascent AR-X Shorts.

I finished my Hermanus outing off with a well-earned brunch at Cubana, overlooking the ocean where the most athletic pod of whales around were putting on a show despite the grey weather.