Sedgefield Striders

Pasta Evening is fast becoming a cherished tradition among Sedgefield Striders, an occasion where we gather to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of those preparing to undertake the ultimate test of endurance, the Comrades Ultra Marathon. This year, two of our runners are preparing to tackle this iconic challenge next week.

Runners, together with their partners and families, were invited to the home of Paul and Doortjie for the celebration. Each guest was asked to bring a specific pasta dish, a fitting contribution given the importance of carbohydrate loading, a concept well understood by runners as they prepare for long-distance events.

Upon entering Paul and Doortjie's home, one could immediately sense the significance they attached to the occasion. The attention to detail was remarkable. A long table stretched through the room, beautifully dressed with elegant tablecloths, matching serviettes, sparkling glasses, neatly arranged side plates, and perfectly placed cutlery and crockery. Fairy lights adorned the table, adding warmth and atmosphere, transforming a simple meal into a truly special event.

Guests arrived carrying their carefully prepared dishes and favourite drinks, greeting one another with excitement and anticipation. Before dinner, many gathered around a welcoming fire outside while others found comfortable spots to chat and catch up. The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly, and filled with anticipation.

Paul and Doortjie were exceptional hosts, making everyone feel immediately at home. Conversations flowed effortlessly throughout the evening, accompanied by laughter, storytelling, and animated chatter. Guests mixed freely, enjoying the company of fellow runners, friends, and family members.

The evening also provided an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge others within our Striders family. A hearty rendition of Happy Birthday was sung for Cecil, who celebrated his birthday on the day, while special recognition was given to our MUT runners for their recent achievements. Most importantly, we honoured our two athletes who will proudly represent our club at this year's Comrades Marathon.

The feast itself was spectacular. An impressive array of pasta dishes and fresh salads filled the tables, ensuring nobody left hungry. The dessert selection was equally tempting, including a unique pasta pudding and boeber, a traditional creamy and sweet Cape Malay dessert enjoyed by many who were experiencing it for the first time.

As with all enjoyable occasions, the evening seemed to pass far too quickly. Before we knew it, it was time to say our goodbyes and head home.

A heartfelt thank you to Paul and Doortjie for so generously opening their home and creating such a warm and memorable occasion. Thank you also to everyone who contributed food, fellowship, laughter, and friendship. The joy shared around the table reminded us once again that while running may bring us together, it is the friendships, support, and sense of community that keep us together.

What a wonderful evening it was.

With the weather as unpredictable as it has been these past few weeks, the Striders walkers decided to keep their Saturday outing close to home. It was a bitterly cold morning when they set off from Super Spar for an excursion through the village and on the the mouth and Cola Beach

Walking alongside the lagoon immediately rewarded them with beautiful vistas as the rising sun began peering from behind Cloud Nine dune. The lagoon lay placid and still, reflecting the pink and orange sky and the scattered clouds above. It was a breathtaking sight and a wonderful way to begin the day.

Making their way towards the mouth, the route climbed steadily past some of Sedgefield's beautiful homes before reaching the parking area that offers visitors a magnificent view of the estuary, where the lagoon, fed also by surrounding rivers, eventually finds its way to the sea.
Sedgefielders are immensely protective of this natural treasure and regularly visit to see how the lagoon is faring. Here our walkers paused for a while, taking in the beauty before gathering themselves for the road ahead towards PiliPili and Cola Beach. The route offered several steep inclines and descents, but every effort was rewarded with breathtaking views.

As always, conversation flowed animatedly as the group made their way through this scenic part of our village. Friendships were strengthened, stories shared on the crisp morning air.

The views from Cola Beach never fail to inspire. From this elevated vantage point, vistas stretch endlessly across the ocean to the horizon. Above, an open sky dotted with scattered clouds displayed an ever-changing palette of pinks, orange and blues. It is one of those places where one simply has to stop and admire the beauty before moving on.

Eventually the route led them back towards the village and MacButner's, where conversation flowed as easily as the scenes they had enjoyed throughout the morning.

It was a chilly 5°C when we gathered at Daily Grind to start our run around The Island and up across Cloud Nine.

Some would call it madness when a warm bed offered a far more comfortable alternative. But not Striders. In true Striders fashion, weather is simply part of the challenge.

Shivering as we waited for everyone to arrive, the cold seemed to find its way through every layer of clothing. Legs felt stiff and reluctant, while fingers and faces reminded us just how cold a Sedgefield winter morning can be. The sun remained hidden below the horizon and behind some cloud cover, offering little hope of warmth anytime soon.

As we followed the lagoon, its waters lay placid and unmoving, perfectly mirroring the pink and orange hues of the awakening sky. Recent rains had also left puddles scattered along the gravel roads, requiring a little careful footwork as we picked our way around them.

Any warmth came only from the effort of running, especially as we approached Outward Bound and the infamous climb to the top of Cloud Nine. What kept us going was the beauty surrounding us and the simple joy of being present in the moment.

At the summit, evidence of the recent storms was still clearly visible. Trees lay scattered along the path, uprooted as though they were nothing more than weeds pulled from a garden. At the paragliding launch site, we paused for the group photo. Standing there on that cold, fresh morning felt like an achievement in itself. Below us, Sedgefield lay, a sleeping village, quietly waiting for the day to begin.

Then came the long descent, carrying us back towards the town we had just admired from above. Hearts happy and spirits lifted, we eventually returned to Daily Grind for our customary coffee, conversation, and laughter.

Another beautiful Striders run in the bag.

🏔️ MUT – Trail Running at its Best! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

The Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT), held in the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains around George, is one of South Africa’s premier trail running events and forms part of the prestigious UTMB World Series. With steep mountain ridges, deep indigenous forests, pristine fynbos, technical descents and breathtaking scenery, it is a true test of endurance, strength and determination.

This year, three of our Sedgefield Striders "Mutters", Hans van Wettering, Ida van Wettering and Matty Smith, took on the formidable 100km challenge.

As race day approached, the Striders family rallied behind them with messages of encouragement and support on our WhatsApp group. Along the route, family and friends were there to cheer them on, providing that extra boost when it was needed most.

Recent storms had caused significant damage to sections of the trails, but thanks to the hard work of the trail crews, the routes were cleared and ready. The challenging conditions certainly didn't deter our Mutters.

Their results speak for themselves:
🥈 Matty Smith – 2nd in her age category
🥉 Ida van Wettering – 3rd in her age category
🏅 Hans van Wettering – 4th in his age category

An outstanding achievement by all three athletes and a testament to the dedication, perseverance and spirit that define our club.

Congratulations, Mutters! Your Striders family is immensely proud of you. You represented our club with distinction and showed once again that determination can carry you over even the toughest mountains.

Summer or winter, hot or cold, Striders athletes refuse to be boxed in. The passion for our sport, the love of the outdoors, and the social connection that comes with sharing the journey continue to draw us onto the roads and trails every week.

This Saturday, the Striders walkers tackled the scenic cobbled road leading to Rondevlei. The morning greeted us with a crisp chill, but thankfully there was not a breath of wind. After meeting at Pinelake Lifestyle Centre and arranging lifts, the group set off in high spirits. Animated conversation filled the air from the very first steps, setting the tone for another memorable outing.

The route meandered between the beautiful Langvlei and Rondevlei lakes, with the lush green hills of the Rondevlei Conservancy rising on one side and peaceful smallholdings stretching out on the other. Clear blue skies and fresh country air made for perfect walking conditions, while the relatively flat terrain allowed everyone to settle into a comfortable, leisurely pace.

The scenery was simply magnificent. Reflections danced on the still waters and a delicate veil of early morning mist hovered above the lakes, creating a picture-postcard setting. The waters lay placid and undisturbed, adding to the sense of tranquillity that surrounded the group.

This area is well known for its birdlife, and fish eagles are regular visitors. Even so, spotting one soaring majestically overhead never loses its magic and always brings a sense of excitement and wonder.

As always, the walk was about far more than exercise. It was about friendship, conversation, fresh air, and appreciating the natural beauty on our doorstep. Returning from their excursion, the group gathered at MacButner's for coffee and a well-earned catch-up.

Whilst our walkers headed for the peaceful countryside of Elandskraal, Striders runners had other ideas. Adventure awaited in the Goukamma Nature Reserve.

Runners set off from either Lake Pleasant or Daily Grind, depending on the distance they had chosen, with the Daily Grind route offering the tougher challenge. The morning greeted them with icy temperatures, crisp fresh air and clear blue skies. Perfect running conditions that immediately lifted the spirit.

The routes through the Reserve delivered everything trail runners could hope for. Long hills bit deeply into tired muscles, testing endurance and determination, but every climb was rewarded with breathtaking scenery, cool forest air and the distant sound of the ocean rolling somewhere beyond the dunes.

These are the kinds of runs that leave runners inspired. The beauty of Goukamma has a way of drawing you into the moment, where the rhythm of footsteps, breathing and nature become one. For those training for marathons and endurance events, it is the ideal training ground. Tough enough to build strength, yet beautiful enough to make you forget the pain.

And then there were those moments where the scenery simply demanded a pause. A quick stop to catch your breath became an opportunity to take in the sweeping views, and of course, to capture a photo or two for the memories.

Back in Sedgefield afterwards, coffee and good company were exactly what the doctor ordered. The perfect ending to a magnificent morning on the trails.

How does one report with enthusiasm on the same activity week after week after week? Sounds difficult… but not with the Striders Saturday activities. Every weekend brings something different, and every event, exercise or outing draws excitement not only from the sport itself, but from the friendships and social connections continually being strengthened along the way.

Again, our walker and runner captains planned different activities for the groups. Whilst there was no official race on the calendar this weekend, Sedgefield Striders never need an excuse to engage their passion.

Our walkers decided to keep things local this morning, taking to the village streets and pathways. Probably a wise decision considering the icy conditions at sunrise. A clear sky promised a beautiful day ahead, but leaving early meant walkers had to keep the pace brisk just to thaw out. Some claimed they only warmed up by the time they reached Groenvallei, others somewhat later, and one or two insisted the thaw only truly happened after coffee!

Despite the cold, enthusiasm was evident in the smiling group photo taken at Lakeview, the turnaround point of the walk. As always, coffee at McButners was a highlight, with animated conversations and plenty of laughter reinforcing the strong bonds of friendship that make Striders so special.

For the runners, it was a very different story. Two groups were formed. Those training for upcoming events and needing distance and hills travelled through to Wilderness, gathering at the Wilderness Hotel for a 7am start. A demanding 30km route wound its way through much of the Wilderness area, serving up long climbs, steep descents and winding roads that tested calves, thighs, knees and ankles alike. Every hill adding endurance for the challenges that still lie ahead on race day.

Coffee at Peron Coffee afterwards was well earned, with plenty of chatter reliving the morning’s effort and adventure.

The second running group chose to remain local with a shorter route around Sedgefield. Shorter, however, certainly did not mean easier. Hills, hills and more hills greeted the runners. Steep inclines and descents had calves and ankles protesting while thighs worked overtime to keep knees in check. The views were spectacular on this cold, windless morning, although there was little time to admire them while grinding up another climb.

But this is what we do. We love the sport. We love testing body and mind. And when body and mind work in harmony, it creates an adrenaline rush difficult to describe.

Coffee at Daily Grind afterwards ensured the recovery process began properly with good company, laughter and stories shared around the table.