The 4 Hills
for Lindsay is over! A huge thank you
from me to everyone who assisted in making this run the success that it
was/is. I continue to be blown away by
the effort and enthusiasm that is put into this run by everyone concerned. There were many happy faces during and after
this run.
44 clubs were represented as well as 2 overseas runners, one
being Lizzy Hawker (6th in Comrades 2010) who will be challenging
for gold once again We had a somewhat unique situation this year with the run
taking place 9 days after the 2 Oceans Marathon. Unfortunately there was nothing we could do
about the scheduling as 2 Oceans always takes place on Easter Saturday. We saw this situation as a unique
opportunity to help runners “prepare” for the 2nd half of Comrades. With 8 days between the 2 runs. The idea was that runners start the 4 Hills
for Lindsay run on TIRED legs. Runners
started the run feeling like they had just reached Drummond and still had the 2nd
half to run. It was a very good
simulation of what it feels like running the 2nd half of
Comrades! The beauty of this training
run was that runners didn’t have to worry about cut offs or missing out on
medals – they could focus on what it felt like to run on tired legs and how to
manage themselves.. It proved a great confidence
booster. This scheduling did however affect our numbers
this year. On the day only 263 runners
participated out of an allowable 350.
There were a few minor incidents of littering and
irresponsible running (traffic). Let’s
aim for 100% next year! Thanks to those
runners who assisted by picking up the odd sachet that was dropped. Let’s keep this run SPECIAL!
18 support teams did duty on the day. A welcome inclusion this year was the VOB
table managed by Raymond Fuller as well as SATORI tables managed by Bridget
Farnham and Steve Clarke. The supplies
were kept ice cold thanks to Komicx who provided us with 36 crates of chipped
ice. Thanks to Steve Maitland, Nic
Kaskikis and Crunchie Cronje for collecting and distributing the ice! The runners on the route were managed by Kim
Jenkinson-Wright. She ensured runner
safety on route and kept the refreshment tables in the picture as to who the
last runners were. Thanks to Cheryl
Bucklow and Andy Campbell for sourcing and collecting the supplies. Thanks must go to Mantelli’s for the awesome
biscuits provided at the refreshment tables.
Breakthru also came on board with their Energy gels (Breakthru Jolt)
which were provided at numerous tables on route. Runners also provided Lays chips and banana
bread which was enjoyed at various tables on route. Thanks also to Daniels Fruit and Veg for the
donation of bananas. Thanks to “The
Paper Chain” for the black bags and toilet paper!
Registration
went off without a hitch. Thanks to Heather
& Shannon Campbell, Karen Thornton, Bev Mackintosh & Catherine Hishin.
A huge
thank you to the Support teams (please let me know if I’ve missed anyone!):
Table 1
Bruce
Barber, Derrek Eve, Fiona Hemmant (VOB), Robynn & Serryn Prytz, Brett
Searle, Mogamat Burghers
Table 2
Chris
Haley, Janet Jackson, Kirsty Bell, Rob Lawson
Table 3
Don Oliver,
Aubrey Mills, Jack & Jean Cammidge
Table 4
Robynn
& Serryn Prytz and Brett Searle
Table 5
Bridget
Farnham (SATORI) & Fiona Hemmant (VOB)
Table 6
Dave
Charles & friends
Table 7
Eric and
Yvonne Thornton, Janet Jackson, Winnie Copeland
Table 8
Bruce
Barber, Rob Lawson
Table 9
Guy Hishin
and his girls
Table 10
David & Anneke Smith
Table 11
Raymond
Fuller & the VOB mob
Table 12
Lou-Ann
Benning, David Duminy
Table 13
Steve
Clarke (SATORI), Derrek Eve, Fiona Hemmant (VOB)
Table 14
Don Oliver
and Aubrey Mills
Table 15
Brenda
Coomer, Cathy Stanley
Table 16
Chris Haley,
Janet Jackson
Table 17
Marge van
Vuuren, Mogamat Burghers
Table 18
Laurian
Barrow, Graham Ross
Runners were treated to a choice of 2 delicious homemade
soups at the finish as well as tea and coffee.
Thanks to our resident chef, Bridget van Eck who made enough soup (90
litres) to feed the masses after the long run.
Thanks to Collette van Eck, Michele Kasfikis and Nomsa who did duty in
the kitchen heating and serving the soup.
It was wonderful to hear the bell ringing in Lindsay’s
honour throughout the morning/afternoon as runners finished their runs.
The weather was kind to us and held out. This 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.
Reading through all the thank you letters, almost every one
mentions the fantastic support and feeling of general caring at every
station.
In closing,
let me wish you all the very best for Comrades.
Take with you the positivity and goodwill of the Lindsay run and tap
into it during the trying times on 29 May.
I love you
all
Nikki
Campbell
