It’s not known as the Grail of Trail for nothing and tomorrow’s Otter TERREX Trail, presented by EasyEquities, promises to live up to this sobriquet and even surpass its heady triumphs of the past.
Over the past decade, top trail athletes from around the world have rated ‘The Otter’ as one of the very best on the planet and it is arguably the continent’s premier marathon-distance trail race.
The Otter TERREX Trail takes place each year along 42km of exceptional coastal terrain through the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. Runners will gain a daunting 2600m of vertical ascent through the race and crest eleven climbs of more than 50m vertical gain.
Exceptional scenic vistas, forest and fynbos ecosystems, rocky shores and sandy beaches are part of the rich trail diversity awaiting the participants who were fortunate to gain an entry, while four major river crossings, including the feared Bloukrans River, add spice to the adventure.
Tomorrow’s race will host the Retto Edition of the Otter, to be run from Nature’s Valley to Storm’s River, contrary to the direction followed by hikers on the five-day trail.
Nine years ago, Swiss athlete, Marc Lauenstein, met the challenge of race director Mark Collins to break the magical 4 hour mark for the Otter, succeeding by seconds in a drama-filled finish in Nature’s Valley.
He returned in 2016 to win the Retto and etch his name forever in Otter history as the only international athlete ever to win back-to-back Otters and, together with South Africans Toni McCann and Johardt van Heerden, one of a club of three who have achieved this feat.
Scot Robbie Simpson, who flew into South Africa last week, can join them tomorrow following his narrow victory over local favourite, Kane Reilly, last year.
“It’s great to be back at the Otter,” Simpson said. “There’s nothing quite like in Europe so it’s been hard to find suitable terrain for training. But having run it last year, I have a good understanding of what it’s about.
“I felt very welcome last year and with TERREX coming on board as the title sponsor, it’s been even better this time. Sadly, the pressure of qualifying for next year’s UTMB have prevented a number of international athletes from racing at Otter, but I decided to forego that chance and return to the Otter.
“I want to qualify for next year’s Two Oceans Marathon, so thought I would take the opportunity to run the Cape Town road marathon in two weeks time. I won’t be aiming for a PB there – I just need to run under 2 hrs 30 min to secure an elite qualification, so my training has been mostly focused on Saturday’s Otter.”
Who might be most likely to prevent Simpson from winning a double Otter crown?
“Kane Reilly (Simpson’s TERREX teammate) was less than two minutes behind me last year and knows the Otter better than anyone. He will be looking to atone for a disappointing race at UTMB in August and I know will be tough to beat.”
Triple winner, Johardt Van Heerden, believes that Reilly could well upset Simpson and that the Retto Edition could give him a vital edge in the latter stages. “I think if Kane is in contention in the final kilometres he can win,” reflected Van Heerden.
“I noticed last year in the early stages that Robbie is not the best over the rocky stretch. Kane always does well in the Retto and he is fitter than ever so maybe this is his year.”
While Simpson and Reilly appear to have an edge over the rest of the field, there are several athletes who will be chasing the final podium position, or better, should tomorrow’s predicted heat upset the favourites.
The two Jacques, who topped the qualifying rankings after posting the fastest times for the 4km prologue, run today along the Blue Duiker trail at Storm’s River, will be looking to take their short-distance success to the longer race.
The prologue is used to determine the starting positions in the marathon, with a race rule restricting prize winners to the ‘Abengeni’ – the lead group of the fastest 24 male and 16 female athletes.
Gauteng-based Jacques Buys recorded the quickest time, his 19:31 time for the testing 4km circuit 23 seconds faster than that of Stellenbosch athlete, Jacques du Plessis, who represented South Africa at last year’s World Championships in Austria and who will be keen to open his Otter account on a high note.
Petros Chigomararwa (third fastest in prologue for second year in succession), veteran Thabang Madiba and Bradley Claase rounded out the top five, but the main race contenders were more conservative, doing just enough to make qualification but careful not to deplete their reserves before race-day.
Reilly (11th) and Simpson (16th) appeared to run well within themselves while the two big name athletes who missed the Abengeni last year, , running in his 8th Otter tomorrow, and 2017 winner, Christiaan Greyling, ensured there would be no repetition by securing their places by clinching 10th and 18th places respectively.
Mvuyisi, in particular, is likely to challenge strongly for the podium following his win at UTD 65km in April and this third place at the Dodo Trail in Mauritius in July.
Younger athletes, Tsielo Tsanyane, Sinovuyo Ngcobo and Oli Morris will look to continue their recent steady improvement in trail athletics, possibly with a top ten performance.
Like Simpson, Bianca Tarboton will be looking for back-to-back wins after her emphatic victory in last year’s Otter Edition and she starts favourite to join her TERREX teammate, Simpson, on the top step of the podium.
The welcome return of one of South Africa’s best-ever trail athletes and 2017 winner, Meg Mackenzie, sets up a fascinating contest, but Tarboton’s speed could give her the edge and her third Otter title. “I haven’t prepared specifically for otter but I’m really excited to be out on such a familiar and special trail again,” said Mackenzie. “Gratitude is the foremost emotion I’m feeling for this race.”
Samantha Reilly, sister of Kane, runs her Otter debut and topped the prologue rankings with a 23:18 run and the Cape Town Trail Marathon champion cannot be written off to spring a surprise up front, while Dodo Trail winner, Emily Djock (3rd fastest prologue behind Tarboton) will also contend strongly for a podium position in a strong women’s field.
Knysna athlete, Rebecca Watney, coached by Simpson, placed 4th in the prologue and has made significant strides in the sport this year. She will be looking to improve significantly on her past Otter performances.
Protea athlete, Lijan Burger, and Ruth Cozien finished second and third behind Tarboton last year (12th and 8th in today’s prologue respectively) and neither will want to give up their podium place lightly. In particular, strong-running KZN’s Cozien could find the heat to her liking and come through in the second half of the race.
The 16th edition of the Otter TERREX Trail gets underway from the beach at Nature’s Valley at 06h30 tomorrow and the winners are expected back at Storm’s River shortly before 10h30.
/SPNA
