Team Final Destination's Race Report
I had the privilege of participating in the Red Ants Rumble this weekend and
it was spectacularly awesome. Thank you very much for all the hard work,
planning, long hours and effort you guys put into arranging this adventure
for us. I know there was a lot more people involved, unfortunately I don't
know who you are - those I do know: Brian, Nicky, Gerhard, Ryan - well done!
This was the first (real) AR my partner for the race (Ronel) participated in
and she was tough as nails. Well done Ronel!
The orienteering at the start of the race gave a nice spread to the field,
the paddle on the Ebenezer dam as the sun came up was special. The hike on
the hiking map was one to be chalked up under lessons learnt: check the
scales on the different maps - they're not the same. In our zealous over
enthusiasm we ran clear off the hiking map, and then continued off the other
map as well.
The long MTB was not only long, it had a bit of an incline at place that
forced you into granny gear. It was also unbelievably hot and the sun really
beat the shit out of us. I can't remember when the last time I was that hot
was.
We met great people along the way at various stages: FW, Marko, Pieter and
Coenraad along the cycling leg; Larry, Ari, Nadine and Vaughn at the bottom
of the kloof in the pitch dark - who we joined for the rest of the main hike
section.
Then all the people at T4 who spent the night in freezing and wet cold,
trying to sleep while space-blankets crinkle noisily and packing themselves
under the little shelter/house/port thingy like sardines.
And sharing the war stories (and leftover sweets) the next morning.
A special thanks to the makeshift 4 man 1 woman team that Brian motivated
the Sunday morning to get together and finish the race - Mark, Debbie,
Andrew, Grant - it was a great last leg and awesome to race with you guys!
And at lunch we met up with Piers and Sally at Picasso's Restaurant in
Haenertsburg and continued the good times and keen conversation while having
a fabulous meal.
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This morning I woke up and had aches and pains in various parts of my body,
thorns in my feet, sunburnt legs, a massive thirst and a big sparkle in my
eyes.
If I was the race organisers, this is more or less what I would have told
the competitors (courtesy of Johnny Cash):
Now you just fought one hell of a fight,
And I know you hate me, and you got the right,
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
But ya ought to thank me, before I die,
For the gravel in your guts and the spit in ya eye,
'Cos I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue.
Cheers
Corne (Team Final Destination)