What better excuse for a weekend away in the Nyanga mountains, than a trail run?
When I took up running around nine years ago, it was an experiment, while out walking in the bush with our dogs. A short try out, to see how it felt, turned into my first — really long run, and stiff legs next day! After borrowing a pair of proper running shoes, I continued the experiment: And within a couple of weeks, I was a runner!
What I didn’t know then, or till quite recently, was that this type of running — on paths, trails, dirt roads, through bush, across rivers and streams, on many uneven and frequently changing surfaces, had an official name: Trail Running. All I knew was that I loved it. It brought out the “inner child” because every run was an exploration and an adventure, into the unknown.
Over the years, I’ve seen many wonders of nature along the routes I’ve discovered and explored for myself; wild animals, birds, mushrooms, snakes, caterpillars, unusual plants, gorgeous sunsets, and lots and lots of lovely natural scenery and panoramic views, quite close to where I live.
This kind of running is still my favourite. The constantly changing scene and seasons, different weather conditions and vegetation, make each run a voyage of discovery, and often times I return home delighted by some unusual wildlife sighting.
After three years of solo trail running, my company, the dogs, curious, one evening I measured my distance and was quite amazed to calculate that I was actually running 40 to 50km a week. So that’s when I began entering running events, discovering this, too, to be highly enjoyable!
Trail running is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide. I’m sure it appeals for all the reasons I’ve described; it is a wonderful way to explore the world, and travelling to participate in a trail running event in some beautiful far off place, makes for an exciting holiday.
Having so far run the recently introduced Two Oceans Long Trail Run — 22km up and round Devil’s Peak on Table Mountain and back to the University in Cape Town —twice, and currently in training for this, with the Two Oceans Half Marathon back to back over two days, for the second time, it was definitely time to try out a trail run much closer to home.
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The annual World’s View Run starts at Troutbeck Inn, Nyanga, and takes the runners on a very scenic circular route up to World’s View and back. This is challenging to say the least!
We Harare dwellers are starting the run at a much higher altitude than at home, so the air is thinner and the body is taxed a lot harder; and the run takes entrants another 500m higher still! Surfaces are rough, gradients very steep, and there was a river to cross and lots of mud with which to contend. All what I’d call the best fun ever!
This event for once had a very civilised starting time — 10am. We continue to struggle hugely with the crack of dawn starts for the vast majority of running events — usually 6am — being absolutely Not Morning People! This makes us rather un-Zimbabwean though in every other way we are fiercely, proudly Zimbabwean!
We stayed with great friends in John Galt Village, an idyllic place with big unfenced plots and a few thatched roofed, stone cottages and the most spectacular views. The same friends accompanied us for a weekend at Pine Tree Inn exactly a year ago, went to see this place, and promptly sold up and shipped out to live there permanently! We could well understand why: Beautiful unspoilt indigenous woodland, plenty of wild animals, and perfect peace and quiet!
Being a trail run, not everyone’s cup of tea, and 3hrs from Harare, the field for this race was smaller than usual for an Harare Athletics Club event, with a line-up of 44 hardy types, ready for the adventure! So being a trail running fan, for once, I was fairly near the front, and had a wonderful time of it. While quite a number of runners looked askance at running through the river shod and stopped to remove shoes and socks, I certainly did not, being used to this sort of thing over years of such adventure-style running.
It was very challenging, no doubt about it, one is much shorter of breath at altitude, but this was an exhilarating run and I loved it. I was delighted to finish in 2hrs 2min and to be 3rd woman, and 13th runner, home, and certainly intend making this an annual weekend away!
The race was won by Stuart Gemmill, 19 times Comrades Marathoner, who finished in a lightning 1hr 20min! Sarah and Thoko, having vowed not even to attempt the full 18,4km (a handful of runners did 10km instead) after all decided to push on and successfully finish, to their delight and pride.
This was a very social event — trail running is like that — and runners congregated at a very busy Troutbeck to eat, drink and chat after the race. It was good to see the hotel so full and likewise Inn on Rupurara and Pine Tree Inn saw brisk trade both with half term and the race bringing in holiday makers.
Diana’s Vow Cave Paintings On our way home we decided at last to track down the Diana’s Vow San rock paintings, 30km from Rusape, and sign-posted. Recently, “Green Mealie”, a fellow geo-caching enthusiast, placed a geo-cache near here, which was an added lure.
It was very well worth the scenic detour! These paintings are really unusual and in excellent condition and there is also a ruined fort and settlement at the top of the hill.
A delightful and very knowledgeable Museums and Monuments Guide, Elisha Tsoka, appeared out of nowhere on his bike to collect the small fees and proceeded to give us an excellent tour.
We in turn shared the joys of geo-caching with him! He sadly related that we were the first visitors of the year: So, make his day, and make this an enjoyable and interesting stop-off on your next trip to or from the Eastern Highlands! Allow an hour and a half extra.
