The league got off to a good start at Westville AC this year with 18 Highway ladies competing. Thank you to all those ladies who consistently come to these events, and are once again contributing to the points which I know will make HIGHWAY the winning walking team again for the 12th year ! The criteria for awarding the prizes this year in the Time Trial category will change, but to qualify, you will still need to attend as many of the fixtures as possible and clock your best times!

A big welcome to our new walkers, Margaret Botes and Ronel Laidlaw-Perks, who have joined us and, together with Cecily, Antoinette and Liz Sneddon, HIGHWAY now has a strong “up front” team to score some great points for the Walkers League Trophy. GO FOR IT ladies. The rest of us will be chasing your heels ! After the Queensburgh TT, Highway Walkers were in the lead with 48 points, followed by QBH with 30 points. Highway had two ladies in the top 5 – Margaret (1st) and Cecily ( 3rd) - CONGRATULATIONS to you both.

Roshini continues to be our top runner and, thanks to Lil, Pauline, Gloria, Jeanette and new member, Linda Feher, we had six ladies in our running team at the Hillcrest TT. We hope you will continue to come along to compete ladies, as we need four runners to make up a team to score points in the Super League Trophy. After the QBH TT, Highway was in 5th position with 29 points but, after the good turnout at Hillcrest, this should improve our standing in this very competitive league.

We are really enjoying the snacks, kindly sponsored by KLOOF VILLAGE SUPERSPAR, and thank Belinda Barlow for all her assistance in organizing these. Please remember to start collect prizes now for the HIGHWAY Time Trial to be held on the 11 August 2009.

The next time trial will be held at PDAC on the 2nd July at 6.00 pm.

LETS ALL TRY AND BE THERE . . . and remember to wear your reflective bibs / belts as this is a dark route at this time of year.!

Other Time Trials held by different clubs at 6.00pm

On a tragic note, Frankie Cawdry, who is very involved in Ladies Time Trials, was hit by a car whilst working on the set up of a Comrades table area. She suffered serious injuries to her head and face and her upper body. She has had surgery and her condition is critical but stable. Chiltern Athletics Club is setting up a Trust Fund to assist with her medical expenses, to which Highway AC will be making a donation. I am also co-ordinating a collection of personal donations from the Time Trial ladies and any other club members who may feel that they, too, would like to make a personal contribution to the Fund. I will be at the club walks on Saturday mornings to collect any donations. A BIG THANK YOU to those members who have already, generously, responded to this special appeal.

Heather Schutte - 082 3981905

Sunday 7th June - The East Coast Radio Big Walk

This year will see the Walk move from a one-route event to four routes, including 5km, 10km, 15km and 20km, with the 20km route being a fully timed race. The 10km and 20km start at George Campbell High School at 07h15 and 08h00. The 5km and 15km start at Ushaka Marine World at 08h30 and 08h00.

Sunday 14th June - through the Kloof Nature Reserve

Ann Mellor will be guiding you through the Nature Reserve. Meet at the Scout Hall (off Buckingham Road, where we hold our AGM) at 7.00am and enjoy the fresh clean air.

Sunday 28th June - Beach Walk / Run

Meet on the front steps of the Sun Coast Casino at 7.00am. Walk to uShaka and back and meet for breakfast at the Wimpy. Those that wish to make it a longer walk can stride up to Blue Lagoon and back. Dave or Kathy will be there to start you off – if you only want breakfast, suggest you arrive around 8.30 am. Friends, family and visitors welcome on both days.

Saturday 10th October - Golden Gate

Our away organiser - Dee Coleman - has reserved chalets at the same resort they stayed last time. The chalets are very good, clean and spacious. Rate R262.00 per person per night. We will travel on Friday 9th October, race takes place on 10th and we will travel back on 11th. Accommodation will be on a first come first serve basis, with deposit to be paid to secure the booking. Contact dee.coleman@valve.co.za.

GANDHI PEACE MARCH:

On Sunday 19th April a group of Highway Members joined the annual Gandhi Salt March for peace. “We were taken by bus from Battery Beach to the start at the Gandhi Settlement in Phoenix. There was no entry fee, and free Gandhi Peace March T-shirts were handed out to everyone. We started at 7h30 and “marched” a slow pace 22km back to the Natal Command. A free vegetarian lunch was on offer at the finish."

POSTNET-CARBINEERS MARATHON

By Gloria
Hi, I did the Postnet 42.2km marathon in 5h30min. The race was fantastic, the tables well organised, the weather was great. At the start the canon blasts off, giving you a fright to start running fast! We were given chips to put on shoe laces and ankles. Dave Bennett was a sweetie, kept telling me how much time I had left to finish. Antoinette did very well for a walker, must take some points from her book. Happy running and see you on the road...love Gloria."

TWO OCEANS:

Cliff Hagerman finished in 6:42:47 and has earned his 'blue' number. Robert Kidgell ran the 56km - no finishing time available. Ted Brien finished the 21km in 2:30, while Nadia Grosvenor, one of our new members, missed the cut off by just over a minute. You will do it next time.

VERULAM CHECKOUT CHALLENGE

Highway ladies took first 7 places in the 10km (obviously not many other clubs were participating!) - Ronel, Liz, Lynn, Pauline, Margie, Dee, Michelle. Learn entered the walking race in training for comrades - wise man. Sibusiso Mkhize, Mpumzi Kunene and Linda Feher were spotted (21km). Judith Coullie, a very new member, and her friend Lynette undertook the 21km walk - well done. On the whole a very small field compared to previous years.

ADDO ELEPHANT 25 MILER

By Kathy Holland
Always being game for something a little different, I saw that Extreme Marathons had added a 25 miler to their established 50 and 100 miler trail runs that they manage in Addo Elephant Park. So.... never one to let a challenge go past, I checked out their site and entered - then the planning started in earnest and my anxiety levels rose exponentially. I booked flights to PE for myself and Thor (who was coerced into joining me), secured accommodation in Kirkwood where the race starts, Addo accommodation being fully booked up a year in advance. I also bought trail shoes, hiking boots and lightweight sandals as I was unsure what I'd wear, as we had already decided to hike/walk the route rather than run it. We spent a few weekends in Umgeni Valley walking into and out of the valley to get some time on our legs, and read all the info the site offered. (See www.extrememarathons.com).

The day to leave duly arrived... and off we flew into the blue yonder. The race started on a cold windy morning at 6 outside the Kirkwood Hotel. 22 people had entered the 100 miler, 74 the 50, and 50 people the 25 miler. Some were in running kit only, while on the other end of the spectrum (including Thor and me) were those with back packs, gloves, hats, chillcheaters, hiking poles, etc. After about 2 km of tar to get us out of town we hit the dirt track that we would follow to the end. The route was marked with chevron tape, flour trails and small Christmaslight like flares for those who would be on the route at night. Supply table are located every 8 - 10 km. Apparently some of the table 'manners' volunteer their services year after year and some tables spend the entire duration (30 hours) of the race offering sustenance. One very special table camped on a beautiful farm and the daughter of the farmer made light of the impending sunset saying that they were about to undergo 'load shedding'! Most of the tables could only be reached by 4X4, and the ambulance crew also shuddered past us grinding their way up and down the steep slopes in a 4X4 mountain rescue vehicle. You have to carry your own water, but the tables are well stocked with a range of goodies and you can also leave personal 'drop-bags' with the tables, to raid while on the trail. Being who I am I had packed well stocked drop bags with just about everything in them that I thought we could possibly need along the way.

The route was tough from the outset, and we climbed from 110 meters above sea-level in Kirkwood, to +- 760m, down to 240m again before climbing to 580 again for the finish. At one point the gradient was 1 in 3 and we really battled up the dirt track. Visions of doing the up run at Sani flashed through my mind. What was really nice was that the 50 and 100 milers did an additional loop early on, so kept passing us on the road and we could cheer them on, although many of them were so encouraging to the 25 milers!

I spent lots of time thinking about what I could tell people about the experience, as photos we took along the route won't do the terrain and scenery any justice, suffice to say it was magnificent. At one point we could see the sea and PE in the distance - over 60km away as the crow flies. The vegetation changed dramatically all along the route with the changes in altitude, and the forces of nature that had created the landscape were evident everywhere. We saw NO animals along the way - bar some evidence from tracks and droppings that some animals did live there. The Addo Park consists of various sections incorporated along the way over the years, and a number of fences are still evident. We could only think that the sections where we walked were parts with no elephants or any of the other big 5. We had to go through a few gates (close the gate behind you style!) and over a stile to enter the last forest section before the finish. It was (luckily for us) also very dry at the time, so we had only a few wet river crossings. We must have crossed rock strewn stream/river beds about 30 times in total - so while I carried plastic type sandals to get me across the rivers I never had to use them. Thor and I had decided up front not to get wet boots if we could possibly avoid it. We didn't fancy the thought of wet socks and boots!

The 25 miler has a 13 hour cut-off..... and it was probably carefully considered! Thor and I finished in 11 hours 27 minutes - tired, dirty, but elated at having stayed the distance (44.7km), the time on our feet and for arriving at the finish just as the sun set. The 'winner' of the 25 miler took 4h13 minutes and the first woman home arrived at the finish - Zuurberg Inn (pronounced Zooberg down there) - in 6h19 minutes. 48 of the 50 starters in our section finished. There is no prize money awarded in any of the distances, although those taking 1st, 2nd or 3rd place are rewarded with a special memento of the race.

Would I recommend the trail run? Yes! It was an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. (Thor says that you can speak to him to get another side of the story!) Apart from a blister on my heel and a very sore knee straight afterwards, I was not extra sore or stiff the next day at all. The run is well managed and superbly organized. The other runners came from all over the country and some participants made the trip from the UK and Australia. Everyone along the route was very friendly and there was much silly banter on the route as everyone battled with their own aches and pains along the way. For those who know Frankie Cawdry (Chiltern + Ladies TT) - she was third lady home in the 50 miler in a fantastic time of 10h45 minutes. Well done Frankie!

THE DOLPHIN TRAIL

By Pam von Aulock
It starts in Storm's River where the first night is spent. We got there early and so were able to "walk" (not a stroll in the park) the first part of the Otter Trail, to the waterfall. Allow at least three hours to do this out and back. Accommodation on Day 1 is an en suite log cabin at Storm's River end of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Dinner is included on the first evening in the restaurant with the Trail Group Manager. He briefed us on what to expect and answered any questions.

Day 2 begins with the boat trip up Storm's River, weather permitting. The boat is very powerful and skims out over the waves before turning to approach the river and surfing into the river estuary. Our guide for the Trail, Stan, met us and we started off to the Storm's River Bridge, across, up and along the cliff face to our lunch stop lookout, a huge deck built out over the cliffs with stunning views of the rocks and ocean below. The trail is up and down over the next two days and there are indigenous forests in the gorges and streams to cross. At sea level jagged rock edges need careful negotiating, with waves smashing onto high reefs and cormorants looking curiously at us stumbling along at times. Our Guide Stan was very informative about trees, vegetation, birds and bird calls. We hear the elusive Knysna Loerie many times but never get an actual sighting, just stand there listening to his call and try to get a glimpse of him through the trees. Lots of Oystercatchers along the way which are my favourites. From the top of a cliff we stop for a long time watching dolphins in the waves. It was too late in the season to see whales. During the Trail one has the feeling of being just out there in nature, the coastline is soooo wild and pristine. The accommodation at Misty Mountain and The Fernery is first class. Slack-packing transports your luggage, its waiting in your room, someone else has carried it! Believe me, on this trail its best to have hands free to grab onto rocks and trees to keep balance and not have to deal with a backpack.

Dinner at both places was a delicious four course meal with loads of veggies and warm atmosphere. On the final day a wonderful Brunch and a slow (about 8kph) 4x4 Landrover drive through the forests and fern plantations back to Storm's River. When the group stopped for refreshments I took the opportunity to go ahead, on foot, through Storm's River Gorge, completely alone, walking and jogging downhill for 5 kms or so. As I came round a corner there was a huge troop of baboons, I don't know who was more surprised, me or them. Whilst I was on the Hike the S. A. Bridge Championships were being played over 8 days in Wilderness, a beautiful part of the country. Kraft (husband) and partner Graham won the 2009 "Pairs" S.A. Champs Trophy. The Prizegiving was a very festive affair with a buffet lunch at the Wilderness Protea Hotel, where the Tournament was held.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Ten new members have joined the club since February - Margaret Botes, Andrew Canning, Judith Coullie, Nikki Draper, Nadia Grosvenor, Bronwyn Jones, Peter Kok, Sipho Madvundla, Desmond Myeza and Eric Shelembe.

CONGRATULATIONS

Robert (known as Billy to his family) Kidgell and Nadia Grosvenor, although did not make the finish at Two Oceans, have started a new race by getting engaged that weekend. We wish you all the best.

GET WELL SOON

Lynn Burn had hip surgery on 26th May. Hope to see you back on the road soon Lynn.

BON VOYAGE

Morelle Rayner will be spending a few days in Paris before visiting her daughter in Canada. Annie and Mike Izzard will be visiting their grandchild in the UK in August.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Sylvia and Finn Nilsen whose sons Greg and Mark both got married in May - Greg on 2nd May and Mark on 30th May - and to Ann Mellor, whose son Ian is getting married in August.

GO FOR IT GILL!!

Gillian Scott, our social member, travelled to Germany on her own, where she attended a 'hog' rally. She hired a Harley Davidson and travelled through the German countryside. Gillian enjoys her motor cycling immensely, you can find her along the roads on her motor cycle most weekends.

BUEN CAMINO

Val McGreal, Sylvia Nilsen and Marion Jackson who leave on 4th June for a Groot Trek in France and Spain. They will hike 130km from Lourdes in the south of France to the Somport Pass, where they cross the French/Spanish Border in the Pyrenees. They’ll walk about 200km in the north of Spain on the ‘Camino Aragones’ to Pamplona. Val has to return home from Pamplona, but Marion and Sylvia will take a train to Ferrol in the west and walk along the 123km ‘Camino Ingles’ to Santiago de Compostela. Marion then returns home and Sylvia continues for about 95km to Finisterre – the end of the earth. From 30th June to 13th July she will work as a volunteer in a pilgrim shelter at the coastal village of Corcubion. “I’ll be scrubbing toilets, pulling hair out of shower drains, mopping floors and cooking for 20 people every day for 2 weeks” she said, “I can’t wait!!” Good luck to all three!

HIGHWAY AC KIT ETC.

Vests are on order (unfortunately another increase in price - to be advised). If you are waiting for club colours, please wear a plain white T-shirt with license number and plain NAVY shorts - no branding allowed. The smart new Highway tog bags are available for R145.00. We also have log books for keeping a record of your training. Our shoe pouches tie onto your shoe laces and are handy for keeping your car keys and money. Look smart in a blue Highway peak, and our Digi Walkers will keep track of the kilometres you have trained, and how many steps you have taken; they also have a watch and stop watch function. All these, as well as Highway Vests, are available from Ann Mellor at Kloof Postnet.

SATURDAY MORNING TRAINING

starts at 6.20am - notices and stretches first and then the walks/runs leave at 6.30am sharp start. Coffee and chat at The Roses afterwards.

2009 FIXTURES

The printed book is now available. Contact Lynn Burn for a copy.