10 May 2008

Four Hills for Lindsay

56km long run

2007 Run Report

The report                                                                                                  Date: 16/05/07

Fish Hoek AC, you do it with five stars.   I have no doubt Lindsay would be pleased!

 

Stated on the “Ethos of the Run” page on our website is the following:

This run is our club’s acknowledgement, recognition and support of the time, effort and commitment of each Comrades runner in his/her preparation for the big event.

The run is intended to be a DRESS REHEARSAL for Comrades.  Race day conditions are simulated as best as possible with full seconding tables every 3km.

The support crews are all PROUDLY FISH HOEK and pride themselves on providing the best possible support and care for all the runners along the route.

 

I think we got it right!

 

The 4 Hills for Lindsay 56km training run is over!  The response has been incredible!  50 clubs were represented.  Our final numbers indicate that 335 participated on the day.  Runners bought into the run.  The ‘behavior’ in general was GREAT!  There were a few minor incidents of littering and irresponsible running (traffic).  Let’s aim for 100% next year!

 

From my side I would like to thank my fantastic team!  The coordination of the seconding tables was (as always) handled expertly by Kathy Cronje.  With the support of her husband Crunchie, Kathy (32 weeks pregnant) put together a crack team for the day.  Preparation started long before.  What Kathy wants, she gets!  Her shopping list (which I generally have to fill) is calculated down to the last banana! 

A huge thank you to the seconders:

Nic & Michelle Kasfikis

Alan & Serena Haupt

Brian & Adam Bothma

Gordon & Grace Hoult

Don Oliver and Debbie Geldenhuys

Nico and Anne Dunstan

Lynne Gordon & Bridget Farnham

Graham & Rose Munro

Eric & Yvonne Thornton (our Edgemead imports)

Colin Evason & Heather Williams

Robynn Prytz & Rhona Cammell

Maureen Woolridge & Pieter Vermeulen

Dave Charles & Rolf Kempski

Laverne and Stephen Hayes

Liane Rohland & Glenda van Blerk

And a whole bunch of “Junior” FHACers!

 

We were fortunate to get sponsorship of the Energade concentrate (thanks Bromor Foods), fruit, crackers and jelly babies (thanks Gleeson Properties), tops for the seconding team (thanks Papillon Insurance), caps and other goodies (thanks Ian and CapeStorm); and various sports shoes and running apparel as ‘spot prizes’ (thanks Sports Unlimited!)  Andy (my better half) did the buying, fetching and carrying of the water and coke.  What Nikki wants, she also gets!  Andy arranged the ‘run numbers’; dealt with the t-shirt manufacturers and collected the said consignment at the airport.  He had to deal with a very stressed out, hyperventilating wife (me!) when it was discovered that the order sent contained only half the size small t-shirts and NO mediums!  Thankfully for ‘chill pills’ and a double shot of Jack, she was able to continue with the final preparations for “Lindsay’s Day”.

 

The supplies were packed out and ready for collection on the Friday evening.  Again it was Kathy who oversaw ‘supervisors’ Kim J-W and Crunchie, who in turn supervised a team of juniors in getting each ‘station’ ready for pick up.  The clubhouse was abuzz!!!!  All the while very junior FHACer members dipped sticky fingers into open jelly baby packets!  Their day will come!

 

Kathy decided that each seconding team had way too much water and drinks to keep cold.  She approached Komicx who were happy to supply us with 30 crates of ice the day before.  Kathy, yours truly and the boys, Keegan Dunstan (13), Ross (12) and Brett Nortier (15) spent the next hour or so shovelling ice and loading crates (well Kathy and I supervised – the boys were doing the hard labour).  This excursion allowed for ice cold water, coke and energade the next day.

 

A team of willing helpers sat grouping safety pins to numbers a week before.  Kim J-Wright handled most of the admin relating to the Enteronline entries and pre-ordered T-shirts (she had quite a job explaining the woes of the non-delivery of medium tops).  She managed to keep smiling throughout the process.  In the days leading up to the run, much time was spent in the FHAC kitchen mixing the energade.  A desperate plea for 2 litre bottles was sent out and club members responded abundantly.  Again Kim J-W stepped in, Janet Jackson, Amy Mackintosh (13) and Alan Haupt lent a hand in the mixing and bottling of the drink.  All the preparation for this run is done by manual labour.  It is part of the ethos of this run.  Further afield, Bridget van Eck (very very pregnant, now new mom) set about making enough soup (about 90 litres) to feed the masses after the long run.  We decided to give Bridget van Eck leave for the day!  Her namesake, Bridget Donovan stepped in to do kitchen duty on the day!  She had the task of heating and serving this delicious soup to all.  The morning registration process was handled by the mostly junior team of Chenelle Jenkinson (15), Amy Mackintosh (13), Heather (17) and Shannon Campbell (15).  They were assisted by Bridget Donovan (before kitchen duty), Bev Mackintosh and Kim J-Wright (before being 2IC to Kathy on the road).

 

The seconding teams were continually briefed over a 3 week period as to the do’s and don’t of seconding (as if they didn’t know!)  Amongst the seconding teams there are many Comrades medals!  Don Oliver (19 medals), Brian Bothma (14 medals), Alan Haupt (2 medals), Serena Haupt (3 medals), Gordon Hoult (1 medal), Crunchie Cronje (1 medal) and Michelle Kasfikis (got to 70km on a down Comrades!).  Each seconding team plans their own strategy for their station.  Teams on completion of their duty, usually move on and assist at later tables (that’s if they aren’t assigned another table later in the run).  There is an incredible spirit amongst this crew.  It comes over so strongly on the day. 

Reading through all the thank you letters, almost every one mentions the fantastic support and feeling of general caring at every station.  Again, this falls into the ethos of this run. 

 

I have had ongoing support from Ian Little.  I put this “memorial run” to him shortly after Lindsay’s untimely death.  He has offered his opinion, support and advice throughout, ensuring that this event would measure up to the memory of Lindsay.  Ian was issued with the number 1.  He kept things that way throughout the run, leading from start to finish.  A fine tribute to Lindsay!  Fellow runners who kept pace with Ian stepped aside at the finish allowing Ian to cross first.  Much emotion was shown at the Comrades Bell as each runner, on completion of the run, rang the bell in Lindsay’s honour. 

 

We were Blessed with wonderful weather which allowed participants to relax outside and enjoy the ‘runners high’, and sip delicious homemade soup and/or ice cold beer!  The overall vibe was so positive.  Extracts from letters I received say it all! 

 

. . .I am a Comrades Novice this year, and if the spirit of Comrades comes anywhere close to the spirit of the day yesterday, it will only be a magnificent occasion for me . . .

 

. . . more important than any of the choccies or fruit or drinks on offer, it was amazing to receive the good wishes and "human-touch" interest of those on duty at the different tables.  It was so good to have a chat along the way, and helped to make the entire affair decidedly pleasant, despite the tired legs. . .

 

I love you all

Nikki Campbell

 

Ps – Kathy – you can go and have your baby now!

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