By Stephen Granger
Joshua Chigome came from behind to clinch an impressive victory in the 75km K-Way MaXi Race Cape Winelands presented by Banhoek Chilli Oil, run between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in cold conditions yesterday (Saturday, October 2), outrunning experienced ultra-distance athletes Gabriel Kriel and AJ Calitz in the process.
Chigome has several ultra-trail titles to his name, including a record-breaking victory in the three-day Wild Coast Wild Run and the 50km The Beast, over Table Mountain trails. He resisted the temptation of following Kriel’s suicidal pace from the start and took the lead from Calitz just 20km from home, to win by 13 minutes in 8hrs 14 min 10sec.
Jana van Houwelingen went one better than her runners-up position to Dutch athlete Ragna Debats last year, winning the women’s competition in 11:21:46 – 14 minutes clear of Kelly Shepherd.
“What a great, but tough route, it had a little bit of everything in it,” said Chigome. “We had typical spring Cape Town weather, it was cold on the mountain this morning, but that was a great incentive to run faster!
“I’m incredibly grateful that I am able to run. It really is the glue that keeps the rest of my life together. I truly hope that I never take it for granted. And a special thank you to the @maxiracesouthafrica team for putting on an incredibly well-organised event. Wow!
“It would be remiss of me not to give a special shout out to the marshals working on Perdekop in the ice-cold rain and wind this morning. We froze up there but you gentlemen and ladies were incredible! Thank you so much! And also to my coach, Linda Doke – I’m super fortunate to have her in my corner!”
Running to a pre-conceived plan, Kriel raced to the front from the start, setting a fast pace up the ‘Kat-se-pas’ single track to the top of Franschhoek Pass and the entrance into Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. “I went as hard as I could from the get-go,” explained Kriel, “so I could try to break their legs on the climbs before the flatter sections later in the race!
“I think I partly succeeded, but I also broke my own legs in the process! And I suffered a bit later on.”
Kriel led the field back through Franschhoek after 25km but Calitz was closing and he used his racing acumen to surge into the lead on a climb towards the Berg River Dam at 30km, while Chigome was yet to make his move, back in 5th position.
Calitz led through the Berg River checkpoint, but Chigome had started to make up ground and was within sight of Kriel in third. Forty-five km into the race and Chigome had moved into second place, although Calitz was still comfortably in the lead.
But Kriel’s early blitz had taken a toll on Calitz, who was slowing as the more conservative-starting Chigome grew in stature. The outcome was inevitable, and Chigome took the lead 20km from home and never looked back, racing to an impressive victory.
Kriel turned the tables on Calitz, moving back into second 8km from the finish, to finish 13 minutes behind Chigome and clinch his second podium in successive years after a third-place behind Ryan Sandes last year. Calitz held on to claim third, a further 6 minutes down.
Van Houwelingen found the going challenging but was delighted with her victory. “That was an incredibly tough day out, but I am so thankful to have been able to run it and win it,” said van Houwelingen. “I feel very blessed to have been able to spend all of that time out in the mountains today!”
John April and Christelle Hattingh took the honours in the 45km race with the Bucklows, Kyle and Jade taking the respective runners-up berths.
Results
75km K-Way MaXi Race Cape Winelands
Men : 1 Joshua Chigome 8 :14 :10 ; 2 Gabriel Kriel 8:27:23; 3 AJ Calitz 8:33:55
Women: Jana van Houwelingen 11:21:46; 2 Kelly Shepherd 11:35:06; 3 Sofi Ackerman 11:36:11
45km K-Way MaXi Race Cape Winelands
Men : 1 John April 3:46:35; 2 Kyle Bucklow 3:48:59; 3 Grobler Basson 3:50:04
Women: 1 Christelle Hattingh 4:43:36; 2 Jade Bucklow 4:48:30; 3 Tarrin van Niekerk 4:56:38
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