RACE REPORT – PB John Korasie 30kms by Marna Herbst

John Korasie is a tough but beautiful race, with sunrise ocean views from Red Hill and again descending down after Cape Point Gate. This year was my third JK and in 2019 before Covid I managed to finish with a sub 3 hour with only seconds to spare. So, I set out this year with determination to at least come in as close as possible to a sub 3 hour again.

I started the race with 3 main goals, go up Red Hill steady but keep some reserves for later and enjoy the down, then focus on Plateau Road and hope there is no wind, and then going down after Cape Point but save energy for the sneaky uphill at Millers Point and around the golf course.

Going up Red Hill went a bit faster than planned, I got caught up with the 3-hour bus and there was a guy with a tambourine, and I just could not get into the rhythm of the tambourine sound so decided to try and stay just in front of the bus. Around the Red Hill settlement, a much smaller 3-hour bus, came rushing past me and it seems the bus drivers have lost some passengers (much smaller group and no tambourine sound)… but I couldn’t keep up with them! My time looked good on my watch so I was happy to stay with my pace… but was wondering if I did not push too hard going up Red Hill…

Somewhere on Plateau Road I caught up and passed the 3-hour bus again for the last time… the road felt much longer but there was no wind, and the baboons were watching us, and I just had a good run on my second stretch.

I was still going strong past Smutswinkel and worked with determination up from Millers Point. That is when I saw Grant in front of me and I thought maybe I should try and catch up with him… I tried but the distance between us stayed the same – I was pushing harder the last 5km and my legs could feel it! However, a glance at my watch told me that I might get a PB so I kept going!

Afterwards at the Fish Hoek gazebo… if you saw me dancing… NOT… I was moving around to keep the legs from cramping up in the cold. I was also very happy with a new PB time of 2:49. It was a fun race, loved the views, it is great to have a race in our backyard and also to see so many familiar faces again!