Birthday Weekend of Running by Mark Jacobs

Day 1

Hohenort 15km:

Birthday 🎊 11.01.25 run

This was the opening run on the WPA calendar and the 50th running of this event. Kudos to Pinelands AC on a well organised run from a seamless online registration to number collection. Note to all, this event was sold out the week before and do expect this to be the trend for rest of the season.

It was the usual early start with about 10 runners representing FHAC. Well done 👏🏻 to all the finishers, it is tough run.

The race was delayed by 10min, safety first as always. Once started, the first 4km was straight up the Constantia Hills, knowing I and a number of FHAC will running the Redhill Marshalls run the next day taking it easy the order of the day for me.

Thank goodness the leafy tree 🌳 lined suburb provided 80% shade as it was another brilliant summer’s day in the Mother City.

The watering tables was well stocked and a big shout out to the Volunteer Wildfire 🔥 Services at the halfway mark. We see you and appreciate all you do.

This race is a tough one with 2 x 4.km climbs and ever slight incline at the end. It is however most enjoyable and great start to the running year.

At the end of the race instead of medals, you receive a pair of socks 🧦 and race calendar 🗓 very handy.

Note to all this race was also the start of the FHAC short course challenge.

SEE YOU IN 2026 🤓

DAY 2:

Timbercity Red Hill Classic Marshalls Run, 36km the day after

As usual, you wake up at silly o’ clock to start a race and to add the day after a tough 15km.

Truth be told I was very nervous as this was my first full classic and not withstanding I had my calves on ice 🧊 for the most part of Saturday.

The race started well with the regular crew, as this was an opportunity to do a LSD as part of preparations for the next challenge.

The weather certainly played its part after the overnight rains, nice and cool 😎 all the way to Kommetjie and Misty Cliffs.

The challenge became real after the 18km mark, even though slangkop was tough the energy levels were still in tact.

That stretch from Scarborough to Redhill Circle ⭕ was tough on tired legs 🦵. The incline just doesn’t end.

The support stations up to and including Redhill ⭕ was nothing short of amazing 🤩 .

So up Redhill I went and this was mostly a walk situation on tried legs. Thanks to the support cars on the way up, I recall mention of a pig 🐖 encounter last year and was in no mood for any of that drama🤓.

Eventually got to the top of Redhill and a welcome 🤗 water station with the Wednesday crew 🤗🙏🏽. Thinking 🤔 it would be a little easier going down, don’t be fooled as the road has quite a camber and plenty of traffic to avoid.

Finally was at the bottom of Redhill with 10km into the clubhouse, hit the 🧱 wall. The bus had to be literally towed in 🫣🤗. Thanks to my running passengers, push on we did. I was constantly reminded that this race was an LSD, given it is my first Redhill challenge.

The stretch of road from the bottom of Redhill to whale watches and eventually FH circle was a blur … I was fatigued and fast running out of energy 🫣. Thanks again to my run crew for picking me up🤗.

Finally hit the suburbs, sprits were lifted by all the supporters with well stocked water stations. Thinking the hard work was over then Genoa hill arrived, but the end was so close it didn’t matter 💪🏼. We finally made it over the line as the sweep I was the last to cross the finis line 🏁 .

Special shout out to my run crew for the weekend Dot, Kirstie & Dom.

Last but not least a huge thank you to 💕Karen for being by my side to the end.

Will I do it again yes 🙌🏽!!

THANK YOU FHAC & SUPPORTERS