I received a complimentary entry into the Sanlam Cape Town Peace Run. All opinions are my own.
The morning after my excursion to Big Bay parkrun, I was up before sunrise once again - it was time for the Sanlam Cape Town 10 km Peace Run! I must admit that my feet dragged a bit as I got ready: Somehow my neighbours thought it appropriate to fight and shout until after 02:00 a.m - ugh! Not even my trusty pink earplugs could block out all that anger.
Anyway, I was dressed and in my starting pen by 06:20 a.m. (the race started at 06:50). I somehow ended up in the very last starting pen once again (my story of 2015, haha!), but had a blast nonetheless: Music was pumping, Deep Heat fumes were wafting and selfies were being snapped all over the place.
It took me and my fellow Corral C occupants a good five minutes to cross the starting line after the race had started, slowly inching our way to the big, blue starting blimp. I took the opportunity to look up and appreciate the weather: Cool and overcast, with no wind or rain - perfect!
Inching our way to the big, blue starting blimp (top left). |
Once over the starting line, the field spread out pretty quickly and I was able to run at a decent pace. The route was stunning - Cape Town, I love you! Flat and fast, with unbeatable views - what more can a girl ask for? My two favourite portions of the route were: a) The small portion of the race route that overlapped with the Greenpoint parkrun route - such good memories!; and b) The blue carpet stadium finish - I felt like an elite!
I must also add that the one comment I heard over and over again from fellow runners, was that the race's organization was superb - and I must agree. From the marshals, the starting pens and the water tables, right through to the finish area - everything just worked.
I ended up clocking a 56:14 (Garmin time - I only pressed start once I crossed the starting line, which was five minutes after the race officially started) - not too bad for a back-of-the-pack seeding in a big city race (5 794 participants), right?
I must also add that the one comment I heard over and over again from fellow runners, was that the race's organization was superb - and I must agree. From the marshals, the starting pens and the water tables, right through to the finish area - everything just worked.
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A blue carpet finish! [Photo by Jetline Action Photo.] |
I ended up clocking a 56:14 (Garmin time - I only pressed start once I crossed the starting line, which was five minutes after the race officially started) - not too bad for a back-of-the-pack seeding in a big city race (5 794 participants), right?
Thankfully my noisy neighbours had run out of steam by the time I returned to my room, so it was breakfast for me, and then straight back to bed.
A perfect morning in my books!
A perfect morning in my books!
Sounds like an amazing race! And such a fabulous time! Well done
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jeanette! It really was an amazing weekend! x
DeleteGr8 Job & Stay Strong
ReplyDeleteThanks, Padre! Always :) .
DeleteGreat job, Karien! That is an amazing time for being behind all of those people! Love the blue carpet finish too :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't the blue carpet cool?? It made me feel so fast, haha!
DeleteShame about the noisy neighbours, but a great race in spite of being kept awake. Well done Karien.......
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Gordon! I must admit that going back to bed right after the race felt reaaaaally good...
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