After a two-year hiatus induced by the Covid-19 lockdown, Helderberg Harriers will host its first Spookhill race since 2019 come this Saturday (18 June).
“This year we are back with a bang, and after two years of no official races we are super excited to host the TimBuild Spookhill Challenge again, and get people out and about and doing what we love – running, talking and collecting medals!” exclaimed Izette Mostert, a member of Helderberg Harriers.
Every runner who crosses the line within the cut-off time will receive a medal (2 hours 30 minutes for the 15 km challenge and 2 hours for the 5 km fun run).
Mostert said the Harriers reached halfway with online entries last month and were very excited about the build-up to the event. The remainder of the entries will be available via Snapscan only on race day – for safety and security, it will be totally cashless.
As the venue capacity allows for 2 000 people, this is the maximum amount of entries that will be accepted.
“It’s not called a 15 km challenge for no reason,” added Mostert. “It’s not a fast and flat race; just after the 4 km mark, you start climbing a steep hill to approximately 300 m altitude.”
There will be a cash prize for the “king and queen of the hill” – the male and female runner who reaches the top first.
“It’s a hard climb, but once you reach the top the view makes up for the effort,” said Mostert, further and shedding some light on the name “spookhill”.
“There is a section of Parel Vallei Road in Somerset West where, if you switch your car off, it appears to run up the hill instead of moving downhill. It has generated much discussion whether this apparent phenomenon is an optical illusion due to magnetism, or just one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries.”
For the youngsters and people not up for a 15 km event, there’s a brilliant 5 km fun run for only R30 (and one also gets a medal).
Apart from the R15 000 in official prize money in the various categories, organisers also gave free TimBuild running shirts to the first 20 online entries.
“We also have weekly lucky-draw prizes running for anyone entering online, where we draw random numbers from the entries to win anything from running socks and caps to MYO2 hampers. On race day, we will have a host of lucky draw prizes,” Mostert said.
The main sponsor, TimBuild, will supply vouchers and some cool tools for those who like to fix things around the house. “We also have a special treat for the person crossing the line in the 67th position in the 15 km,” she said.
“This is in support of Neal Stacey from #2Feet4TB, in order to raise awareness around TB. Like Madiba, Neal is also a TB survivor and runs for charity. He will be there on race day.”
Every year, the Helderberg Harriers support a charity through the event. This year, the club is supporting the Helderberg Stroke Support Group, whose members will also be present on race day and available for questions and to take participants’ blood pressure.
In addition, the event is a “proudly plastic free” race, with runners getting biodegradable cups at the four water points on route and Coke at the finish. Runners are also urged to carry their own water.
“At the moment we are relaxing in terms of Covid-19 and feel no need to wear masks while outdoors,” said Mostert. “However, we will be guided by government’s Covid-19 protocols. Should anything change in terms of regulations, it will be communicated.”
V
Only cashless entries will be accepted at Beaumont Primary School from 06:30 on Saturday. For more information, visit www.helderbergharriers.co.za
