2011 Surfers Marathon, East London

The Event

Every year in February the highlight of the East London athletics season takes place.

The highlight is called a marathon, but it isn't really, because it is too short. However, many marathon athletes who have participated say that they would rather stick to marathons, as they are easier. South Africa's Ultra-marathon legend Bruce Fordyce, after the 2008 Surfers Marathon, voiced his opinion that this little jaunt along the beach is pretty tough.

It's not just a beach outing. It's a race between canoeists and runners, from the mouth of the Kwelera river north of East London South Africa, and then due south-ish, along the East London coast-line to the Lifesavers Shack at Nahoon Beach.


The Surfers Marathon
It is the Surfers Marathon. 16 km of East London Coast, with all it has to throw at competitors. Surfers Marathon entrants who decide to run or race-walk can expect a pot-holed gravel road at the start, followed by soft sand and rocky outcrops. Near the end of the first stretch of the coastline that Surfers Marathon competitors need to get through there are enormous boulders that need to be crossed, and directly after that is a section of cannon ball sized rocks, running from the vertical bush covered dunes on the right, into the crashing surf on the left. This stretch is not too long, but it is steeply banked, and treacherously loose, waiting to twist ankles, bruise shins, and bloody knees.

Past the cannonbal run is the first river that needs to be crossed. The Gonubie river crossing, about 200m from the river mouth is made by hanging onto a rope, and dragging an already aching body across the river. After a hard long first stretch, this crossing is chilling, refreshing, and therapeutic.

The river can be in any mood. From rough and fast flowing, to slow and languid. Possibly the worst mood is flat and fast flowing, on a receding tide.

Surfers Marathon competitors who abide by the organizers arrangements, and heed the instructions of the many life savers on duty at the river crossing will get across, quickly, and safely.

Once out of the river, and depending on the state of the tide, competitors will be sent either along the coastline, below the Gonubie Boardwalk, or, if the tide is high, along a detour through the Gonubie suburbs. Whichever route is taken, the Gonubie Hotel is passed, and then the long flat section of tar to German Bay begins. Plenty of watering points, and loads of public support along this stretch will help even the most exhausted athlete onward.

A quick dart from the tarred road, along a narrow dirt path, takes the runners back down to the beach. For a while there is more loose sand and rock, but, with 3 or 4 km's to the end, the sand hardens, and the coastline takes a long flat left sweep to the distantly visible Lifesavers Shack on Nahoon Beach.

200m from the finish the runners need to cross the Nahoon River. Not as rough or wide as the Gonubie, but equally well managed, with ropes and life savers, it is generally quicker to cross, as the field will have spread out by now, this river crossing is the second last hurdle to the finish line.

Once across, and back on the churned pathway leading to the finish, and with spectators lining the final part of the course, the final challenge is to catch and pass the runner just ahead.


Surfers Marathon Weather
The weather conditions for the Surfers Marathon have a definite influence on times. The Surfers Marathon is run at the height of summer, and runners start at 14h30. At this time of day it is still hot, but starts cooling off from then. It is likely that it will be overcast, as the clouds come in off the ocean in the afternoon, especially if the day time temperature has been warm. A light breeze from the East, preceding the oncoming cloud cover, is equally possible. The breeze, as long as it stays in the Eastern quadrant, won't hamper the runners, but will be a gently refreshing aid to hot, tiring, sweaty bodies.

on the day runners can expect a light wind of about 11 knots, from East North East, meaning it will be pushing runners from behind. The day time high temperature will have peaked at about 25 degrees celsius, before starting the afternoon cool-off. Rain during the Surfers Marathon is not impossible, as this is the rainy season, it is however unlikely.

Weather prediction for the 2011 Surfers Marathon
The 2011 Surfers Marathon will start 2 hours before low tide. This means low river levels, with an outward flow. Most runners will complete the race before the start of the high tide flow. Temperatures will be high in the morning, bringing overcast and cool conditions for the late afternoon. A late afternoon ocean haze will cool slower runners, and help them along from German Bay, if they have made it beyond the Cut-off time in Gonubie.


Recommendations for the 12th February 2011 Surfers Marathon
As always, wear shoes. It may be tempting to do the Surfers Marathon barefoot, but the Gonubie tar, especially if it is hot, will cause feet to blister, with a high likelihood of the blisters breaking before reaching sand again. Wear light clothing, and lashings of sunblock. Hydrate yourself. Starting two or three days before the race, increase your water intake, reduce your coffe, reduce your fizzy drink intake. The evening before, treat yourself to a good solid pasta meal. On the day, have a light breakfast, and snack on energy bars and bananas. Drink loads of water. There are usually no water points before Gonubie, so, after your last visit to the toilet just before the start, have another water, or energy drink.

Have a great race, and even if you don't win, enjoy the scenery along the route.