Red Hill Marathon or 36.6KM Classic provides arguably 2 of the harder runs for athletes in the cape. With both routes traversing the same climbs of Slangkop and Red Hill the only question is do you have it in you to do an extra 6km loop and go for the full marathon distance. Fortunately for some the opportunity exists to change your mind at the bottom of the infamous Red Hill and downgrade to the 36.6km Classic if you have been attempting the marathon. On this occasion i'm pleased to say attempting the full distance for the first at this race i managed to turn a blind eye to the downgrade option and trundle on in silent sufferance i wanted to go all the way one way or another
Starting out at sunrise from Fish Hoek Sports Club the course takes a short tour through Sun Valley neighborhood before heading out along the M65 to
Kommetjie before a heading up a steep albeit short climb to the top of SLANGKOP hill where views of the
Slangkop Lighthouse
offer a
temporary distraction from the effort being put in to get to the top before heading down through
Misty Cliffs Conservation Village and
Scarborough before the road forks off to seperate the two races. With just over 20km's gone the Marathon runners head off in the direction of
Cape Point for a 6km loop before joining the course back with the 36.6km runners heading up Red Hill. My memory often fails me on this part of the course as despite the yearly fatigue induced walking constant cursing and dreadfully slow pace that i am reduced to going up Red Hill i still seem to return year after year heaven knows why. Once at the top of Red Hill the course decends down Red Hill with glorious views of the False Bay Coast,
Simons Town Harbors and
Kalk Bay to distract you from the pain of your thumping quads and aching knees as you look to make up lost time on the downhill into Simons Town.
Turning off Red Hill Road and heading back towards
Fishoek via Glencairn the course becomes flat to undulating as you follow the road with the Atlantic Ocean just a glance to the right you can but only look ahead and hold on ... for most Walk, Run, Walk, Run is how it goes from here towards the end with less than 6km's to go. With 3km's to go and on Fish Hoek road you know the end is near but as you pass 1st, 2nd, 3rd ...... 10th 12th avenues en route to the finish line back at Fish Hoek Sports Club. This is hardly the most inspiring part of the course but it needs to be done before tuning onto the sports field for the last 500m the soft grass a welcome alternative to the 41km of tar just pounded.
After having done the 36.6km Classic on two previous Occasions this was my first Attempt at the Marathon one i am pleased to say i survived.
Run Time 4:43:11
