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Thursday, February 24, 2011

George Wheelchair Race and Cell C Tour of South Africa

Saturday the 19th of Feb saw Netski up to a bright and early start to head through to George for the annual running of the George Wheel Chair Race.This is the biggest wheel chair race in the country but we were there to support the kids from Die Sterreweg in Plett who were taking part in the 5km Fun Push . It was amazing to see 800 people lots of them children all in wheelchairs gathered at the start line . The excitement for them was awesome and there were smiles all round.While the racing snakes (including Ernst van Dyk a wheel chair racing legend) raced the marathon of 42 km in just over an hour the Fun Push got under way. All the participants were treated to a meal by the organizers afterwards and it was an awe inspiring day to be part of.We then headed into the forests above Saasveld for a 14 km trail run which needed no motivating at all . We hardly spoke during the run having once again been reminded about how lucky we are to be able to do what we do and love in the great outdoors.






Thursday the 24th of Feb saw the Cell C Tour of South Africa passing along the Garden Route. Sean Gannon of Pennypinchers Plett made sure that the Tour received a first class welcome into Plett . With all his staff waving flags from all over the world and a quick hand painted sign by Henry the Paint specialist in the shop wishing local Hero Kevin Evans GOOD LUCK. The Tour passed by in a blurr with bikes ,team cars, police motor bikes,press vehicles and helicopters there was a real carnival atmosphere on the road side. We hope the Tour will go from strength to strength and look forward to welcoming them to Plett again next year with more in put from the locals.


Monday, February 14, 2011

WHATS UP IN 2011 ?

The Team has every right to be excited about 2011. The year has started on such a positive note and things are looking good down the line. The 12th of January saw the Team host an amazing trail run at The Kurland Polo Pavilion. 120 Runners pitched to enjoy the Tsitsikamma Foothills and surrounding country side. With the success of this race we have organized a second trail run to be held over the Easter Weekend at Cairnbrogie Farm. Here runners will be treated to the other garden Route gem and that is its coastline.
We are really privileged to once again have Pennypinchers as our main sponsor for the year. The contributions from the Plettenberg Bay and Knysna branches have enabled us to once again get out and compete in the great outdoors. With GU as our main nutrition and supplement supplier we could not be better fueled for our training and racing. Earth Scout in Knysna will once again be our official gear supplier, they carry all the top brands in outdoor sports wear and allow us to choose the best of the best from shoes to back packs. I really think that Pennypinchers Adventure Racing Team kitted by Earth Scout and fueled by GU has a great ring to it. We will also be building a charity/community angle into our team with us creating awareness and raising funds for Die Sterreweg Day Care centre in Plett. Click on the link to find out more . http://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/james-stewart
Apart from being involved in various mountain biking, running and canoeing events on the Garden Route the Team is in the middle of putting in some really good training for the two major adventure racing events in the first part of the year.
The Garmin War Trail takes place over three days in March with a total distance of 265 kms covered on foot, mountain bike and canoe. This will see the Team members competing as individuals against the best multi sport racers in the country.
With Chris Crewdson one of the founder members of the Team having to pull out of the 500km Expedition Africa Race we have found a more than capable replacement in Garth Pienke from East London. He comes with great experience and is a good all round athlete and will bring the average age of the Team down a bit as well. This race takes place in May and involves running, riding and paddling and navigating your way for 500km through the wilderness areas between Hermanus and Swellendam (I think ).The race venue is only made public closer to the time to prevent people from scouting around the route.
With all of the racing and The Cairnbrogie Easter Trail Run to organize as well the Team is looking forward to a really busy first half of 2011.

Thanks to all of you for your on going support.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Attakwas Mountain Bike Race 2011 Jan 15

So I did the good old Attakwas again with that I mean the 130km one for the 3rd time and I love it. It is such a stunning mtb race thru the Attakwas kloof over the mountains thru streams, watering points with ice cold watermelon and juice, what is there not to love!!! Okay well the last section is the one which is debatable the steep, long hard district road climbs where thousands of ants scuttle around on the hot road. This year it felt that they where scuttling uphill much faster then me, Christmas was good to me and in that way I don't mean with presents. But granny over here didn't do to badly I came 2nd in the ... ... category (didn't want to give the age away but suppose I should or one thinks I entered the kiddies race) the sub vet category! Overall I got no clue but time wise I did 7.36hrs and pretty happy with that with the training I managed this Christmas. The good old bike did well and the packet of GU Chomps was devoured with glee. Thank you to Pennypinchers for all the support and making it possible to do these fun, hard races and to GU for making it possible to finish them. Over and out Netski