Hermanus Berg & Beach 2 day Trail Run 2011

Nearly 100 mountain trail runners set off on a 22km coastal run this last Saturday from De Kelders to Fernkloof Nature Reserve, Hermanus. It coincided with the low tide and included sandstone track, sand, coastal rock and swimming across the Klein River lagoon mouth before running alongside the Mossels River trail to end day 1. Runners enjoyed sightings of whales, dolphins, the endangered Black Oyster Catcher and numerous other coastal birds along this pristine section of coast in Walker Bay. Noel Erntzsen cruised to the finish of day 1 with Derrick Baard 1 minute behind and Sean Privett sneaking past Eddie Lambert only 50 meters from the finish when the latter took a wrong turn in the Fernkloof Botanical gardens. CAPESTORM sponsored athlete Landie Visser had a comfortable lead over 2nd place Suzanne Marais with Linda Doke placing 3rd.

Day 2 saw the runners lined up for a tough and scenic, 27km mountain run on the trails of Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Derrick Baard was leading the run up until 10km with Eddie Lambert on his heels. At the top of a steep switch back climb, Erntszen - placed third at this point - decided to increase the pace which included another 10km steady climb to the top of Platberg. He romped home in an impressive time with Baard finishing almost 10min later. Eddie Lambert finished the day in 3rd and this was enough to clinch the overall third position when Sean Privett failed to hold on to his day 1 lead over Lambert. Landie Visser and Robyn Ferrar battled it out on day 2 until the last 1km section when Visser's speed on the down hill switchbacks proved to fast for Ferrar. She finished a minute behind Visser with Linda Doke placing 3d on day 2. Ferrar's fast run on day 2 was enough to propel her to 2nd overall female after finishing 4th on day 1. Suzanne Marais struggled with the more technical terrain and just could not hold on to her 1st day dominance over Doke and Ferrar.

This Quantum Classic, 2 day stage run was presented by Spur Steak Ranches and Capestorm. This event will feature high on the calendar in 2012 when it will be part of the Hermanus Whale Festival!

Top 5 Results:
POS NAME DAY 1 DAY 2 TOTAL DAY 1 + 2

1 Noel Ernstzen 01:38:22 02:37:38 04:16:00
2 Derrick Baard 01:39:25 02:47:22 04:26:47
3 Eddie Lambert 01:49:47 02:42:51 04:32:38
4 Sean Privett 01:42:23 02:54:05 04:36:28
5 Armand Bosman 01:45:16 02:57:09 04:42:25

1 Landie Visser 01:51:43 02:59:08 04:50:51
2 Robyn Ferrar 02:05:22 02:59:58 05:05:20
3 Linda Doke 01:56:24 03:14:54 05:11:18
4 Suzanne Marais 01:53:33 03:26:04 05:19:37
5 Jeanette Steyn 02:13:28 03:42:06 05:55:34

For full results and images, visit www.quantumadventures.co.za or their Facebook page