Dear Triple Troublers.
What can I say besides a very heartfelt thank you once again for making yesterday what it was.
If it wasn’t for you the runners, the Triple would not have happened at all. I was quite happy to let 2016 quietly go by unnoticed, but you had the final say and despite the last minute panic I think we managed to somehow pull off the best one to date… I’m finally learning to act like a true Capetonian, leave it until the last minute and it will somehow work out.
While the run is not all about speed and records, having some of SA’s top runners on the start line was an honour and always meant we were going to be in for an exciting race. And it did not disappoint, with 7 out of the 8 standing records broken, the only record that did not fall was the Suther Peak time and it made it by a mere 45 seconds. If you’re into stats, the accumulated time difference in the new records set added up to almost 2 hours.
Big congratulations must go to the gold trig-beacon trophy winners, Ryan and Landie, doing what they do best in style and grace, and setting new records that are going to be difficult to beat at 4:26:10 and 4:58:20 respectively, Ryan taking 20 minutes off Rupert’s previous record that has stood since 2011, and Landie taking close to 40 minutes off Linda Doke’s record from 2012. Special mention must be made too of Lucas, in 2nd place and also breaking the previous record and finishing only 6 minutes behind Ryan, and Dom finishing in 3rd and tying the old record. Under 5 hours on this course is a staggering achievement and these efforts made for an amazing morning of racing, congrats!
A big mention also to Steve Haldane, finishing his 5th consecutive run and getting his special edition trophy. A further special mention must go to Brian Key, not only winning his age-group on his 9th race, but also beating most of the field who are half his age or less, not shedding any blood, and also inspiring Mike Ohlsson with that unmistakeable hair-style. Could this be the makings of a modern day Samson-styled success story? We will be watching your upcoming race results closely Mike…
As always, thank you to our auditors, Amstel and Diemersfontein for closely scrutinising the highly sophisticated points system which has been included below. Should there be any complaints please put them in writing, but not before you have indulged in a bottle of pinotage as it may correct your sense of judgement.
There are thank you’s that must also be extended as the run can not happen without the involvement of many:
- to Velocity Sports Lab – Rob and Angela, thank you once again for hosting us, the venue is superb and is always enjoyed and appreciated by all the participants.
- to the Chapmans Peak Beach Hotel for sponsorship,
- to JT for the awesome shirts
- to Sportsmans Warehouse who came on board at such very short notice.
- to the chocolate brownie chef… say no more.
- to those who kindly offered assistance and a helping pair of hands in the last minute rush!
- to the IAAF for sending out an official to monitor Ryan and Landie’s speed on Suikerbossie… he was so well hidden we almost didn’t see him, had we not tripped over his camouflaged camera.
- to you all for helping add another donor to the registry through the donation to the Sunflower Fund
- and to Marius and Guy who so willingly helped with the time-keeping
But as always my biggest thanks are to you, the entire field of runners. The Triple is what it is because of you and the way you enjoy it and want to come back for more every year. Thank you for embracing it in the spirit intended. The conversations and (mostly) laughs encountered along the way say it all. Its a special day out for me, it always has been and I look forward to many more. You are part of a small group of people, to date only 115 people have finished the Triple in its 12 year history.
And I hope to welcome you back again next year – the date as always, the first Saturday in October which means 7th Oct 2017… easy to remember, even for us runners!
See you on the mountains
Cheers
Eric
