Day two - Barberton to Badplaas

Early this morning, half the Round Table 350Miles4Marrow team left the Stay Easy hotel in Nelspruit to drive to the stating point at Barberton. Danie was the first to run his 21 Km and finished it at just over six minutes per kilometer. This is a remarcable achievment considering the mountains and valleys that poor Danie had to commit to.


At around about the time that Guy took over from Danie, the remainder of the team where having a tasty breakfast back in Nelspruit. The cloud cover during Guy's run was much appreciated, although this was not apparent from the look on his face when the second half of the team arrived to join the runners.

Danie replaced Guy near the bottom of the pass for a final five K's to complete his 21 K's in two hours and ten minutes. Riaan took over from Danie on the long climb from the bottom of the pass towards Badplaas where Shayne looking in stunning shape (at left) flew past on his way to the bakkie.

This looked easy after the steep climb up into the clouds but it was long and slow and in the heat of the day. Unfortunately for Riaan his turn coincided almost exactly with the the appearance of the sun and the long, long uphill.



After about an hour on the road nothing had changed (left) and for a long time there was just the heat and the tarmac. However, while running over the the Crocodile River bridge Riaan decided on a team swim and negotiating the steep bank to the river they had a quick dip to cool. A few minutes later he was back on the road for the final push to Badplaas.



On arrival at Badplaas the temperature on the ground was 28 deg and not a breath of air as Riaan reached the end of his 21 kilometers in just two hours 26 minutes - including the swim.




Arriving at the finish line - Badplaas, the pain and heat of the scenic run was quickly forgotten during the well wishes, support and friendly gestures from the team. Thank you to our sponsors (BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Afica, Dust-A-Side, Nedbank, Puma, Sandton Sun and Stay Easy) who had accomodated all costs for the day so far. Now off to reception.