The Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™ kicked off with a bang at the Paul Cluver Estate as more than 1000 runners came out to take on the epic trail of Paul Cluver Estate during the weekend. There were some nervous runners during the week as a cold front hammered the Cape in the week leading up to the races but the weather improved significantly as the weekend arrived. Runners at the GLB46 Ultra on Saturday had to deal with cold and wet conditions but on Sunday we were treated to perfect trail running weather and though conditions were muddy underfoot this only added to the trail fun!

Robinson takes the GLB46 Ultra
Almost 100 runners took on this magnificent ultra that makes its way up and around the Groenlandberg. Will Robinson showed his intentions from the get-go and made it to checkpoint one first. He hung on to the lead throughout, eventually winning the 46km race in a time of 3:51:04. Not far behind was Damian Wills who made Robinson work for his victory and crossed the finish line in 3:55:59. Completing the podium was Mark Pikker in a time of 4:26:02.

In the ladies field Mags Haacke won the race comfortably in a time of 4:52:29. Marcy Loubser was the second lady over the line and the first veteran lady in a time of 5:35:49, with Phillippa Burger taking third place in 5:40:28.

Rukadza stamps his authority
Things most definitely picked up speed on Sunday as more than 900 runners descended on the Paul Cluver Estate to take part in the first race of the Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™. 

Bernard Rukadza picked up where he left off in the summer Series and started strong in his bid to win his fifth straight Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™ as he blitzed the 16.7km course in 1:08:59. One minute later Duwayne Philander crossed the line in a time of 1:10:01 with Peter Tsawayo completing the podium in 1:11:03. 

In the ladies field, Liandi van der Westhuyzen showed her class and took top spot in 1:27:47, almost four minutes ahead of her closest rival, veteran Leeann Dawson who finished in 1:31:29. Matilda Randle was the third lady over the line in a quality time of 1:33:24.

Exciting talent in the short course 
It was business as usual for Riaan Wildskut as he wrapped up yet another short course victory with another blistering run. He came charging down the hill to finish the 9.1km course in only 34:07, chased all the way by Andre Afrika who finished in 34:19. Shortly after them, Willem Swanepoel sprinted down the finish shoot and clocked a time of 35:46. 

One of the most exciting performances of the day had to have been that of 13-year-old, Mia Doyle who won the ladies’ short course in a magnificent time of 44:19. Her toughest competition came from Rachel Bateman who came in second in a time of 44:42, with veteran Ellie Courts following shortly after, crossing the line in 45:25.
After a great day of trail running it was back home to wash the mud out of the running kit. The Sunday blues would have been tempered significantly with the thought that the second race of the Series is only one week away at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve.

A big thanks to all the runners who came out to Grabouw and of course to our sponsors, Spur Steak Ranches, adidas, BOS and Protea Hotels for their continued support. And a special thanks must go to the Paul Cluver Estate for opening their gates to the masses and hosting us at this beautiful property – such a privilege!


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For full results click here and for more photos click here.