Sponsored by Stonehage, international family wealth advisers, and Discovery, the Challenge drew close to 3000 participants to compete in 2 days of sport and fun for the whole family. While day one took place  at Plettenberg Bay’s popular Central Beach, the second day of the Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge moved for the first time ever to the prestigious Kurland Polo Estate.

The Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge is the main fundraising activity for the Sabrina Love Foundation. Established in 2003 by Tony and Suzy Lubner in memory of their daughter Sabrina, who died at age six from complications of a rare bone disorder, the Foundation supports children and families living with physical disabilities in the Bitou region.

Events of the first day included:

The 6km Ocean Swim from Robberg Corner to Central Beach once again lived up to its iconic status as Paralympic gold medallist Natalie du Toit and Olympic long distance swimmer Chad Ho finished both in first position in their category. The sea conditions were difficult and times where slower than in previous years. Du Toit addressed competitors ahead of the Swim, encouraging them to “have fun and remember the Sabrina Love message of hope.”

Olympic paddler and Plettenberg Bay local Michele Eray teamed up with Neil Stephenson and came in third in the Surfski Paddle behind the winners Warren and Wayne Jacobs, while the single paddle was won by Kevin Hill in a time of 1:05:55.

Comrades Marathon legend Bruce Fordyce hosted the 10km Run, which was won in an incredible time of 38 minutes by Kane Riley and Carlyn Fisher (43:00). Conditions were very hot and humid and although the race took place in the early morning, athletes were battling with the heat.

The beach walk was once again the atmospheric climax to the first day event as hundreds of walkers, donned pink T-shirts and hats, welcomed the swimmers to the beach.

The second day of the Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge presented by Stonehage and Discovery was hosted at the magnificent Kurland Polo Estate where thousands of supporters of the charity event participated in one or more of the four sporting events on offer. The manicured grounds of the estate were draped in the now trademark Sabrina pink and, contrasted against the lush backdrop of the Tsitsikamma mountain range, made for a beautiful and fitting sight as the fundraising event attracted record numbers. The Kurland Pavilion, better known for its hosting of international polo matches, looked equally gracious serving as the event hub from which the different races reached out into the surrounding mountains, forests and lake.

The first event of the day was the 600 meter lake swim over a star shaped course where participants were required to exit the water at two points. Olympian Chad Ho’s pure power through the water was enough to see him round the course in the fastest time to claim the men’s race whilst Kamilla Snyman was equally unfazed by the short running legs and emerged as the winner of a strong female field.

Attention was then focused on the 25km mountain bike ride where 400 riders, many of them clad in pink Sabrina riding gear, set off on a wide sweep of the estate reaching high into the beautiful mountain before descending on long single tracks back through the forests, over sparkling streams and onto the polo fields to reach the event hub. No one was too surprised when local mountain biking hero Kevin Evens broke from the treeline and streaked into the finish chute to claim his 2^nd Sabrina Love trophy while Nicky Booyens lead the woman’s race.

The sun was already high in the sky when the 430 plus trail runners sprinted off into the forests for ten kilometres of pure trail running bliss. The intermediate course was intended to be achievable for the many first timers whilst still challenge the pro runners and that is exactly what the undulating and varied trail did. Melikhaya Msizi was smiling broadly when he sprinted down the home stretch to tremendous applause from the spectators to comfortably claim the men’s race whilst Nicky Rider held off a close challenge from the Crag’s local Kerry Scott, to claim 2^nd place in the woman’s race.

For many participants the Sabrina Kids of Steel was the highlight of the day’s proceeding as youngsters racing in their age groups from 6 to 12 were set off on the specially designed adventure duathlon. A short swim was followed by a 1.5km exploration trail through the forests fringing main polo field before the children got to finish under the same arch that many of their heroes had passed under earlier in the morning.

The Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge concluded with a spectacular prize giving ceremony with “Tigger” performing the Sabrina song together with the celebrated Plett Fieldband.

Registration venue
With the phenomenal increase in support this event has received year after year, the Registration Venue will move from its current base at the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort to the Piesang Valley Community Hall situated in the Piesang Valley Road (just behind the new Bike Shop premises, alongside the gym and the pool) in Plettenberg Bay. The advantages of the new venue include a large parking area located right next to the very spacious Community Hall, and it is a stone’s throw away from the busy beach localities.
Registration will be open on December 27 from 12h00 to 18h00 and on December 28 from 14h00 – 18h00.

Day One at Central Beach
This year will start early in the morning with the 10km Urban & Beach Run, 15km Surfski, 6km Ocean Swim and the 3 km Beach Walk.

Something for the entire family to enjoy and get into the spirit of giving over this festive season.

Prize Giving will follow the activities at Central Beach with fantastic lucky draw prizes.

Day1 – Schedule
6.30am – The Sabrina 10km Urban & Beach Run
7.30am – The Sabrina 6km Ocean Swim
9.00am – The Sabrina 15km Surfski Paddle
9.00am – The Sabrina Beach Walk
11.00am – Prize giving

Day Two at
Kurland Polo Estate
Day 2 of the Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge takes place at the magnificent Kurland Polo Estate and the organisers are exceptionally excited about the possibilities offered on the estate. Cradled up against the Tsitsikamma Mountain range and overlooking the Crags, this splendid country property now hosts no fewer than 4 of the Sabrina Love events. Utilising the sumptuous central pavilion as event hub, participants are encouraged to spend the whole morning enjoying the various events and accompanying entertainment. Food and beverage will be available at the event hub.

The morning’s activities get underway with the 500 meter Sabrina Lake Swim. The circular course around the property’s central lake is easily accessible for spectators. Many of the swimmers are expected to be participants of the staged triathlon which also includes the Mountain bike ride and the Trail run.

The 25km Sabrina Bike follows a slightly more demanding course than that of the past two years but participants will be rewarded by spectacular views over Kurland and one of the most stimulating and diverse riding experiences in the Garden Route. Entry level cyclists will find the balanced course challenging but achievable while the more accomplished riders will have plenty to smile about.

The new Sabrina Trail Run promises to be a huge hit with Sabrina participants as the varied route is absolutely beautiful. For those of you that are not already hooked on trail running, after this event you will be. The 10km course traverses pristine indigenous forest, fun plantation tracks and an exquisite fern draped river valley. The course will challenge novice trail runners but the demanding sections can always be walked, in fact walkers are encouraged and the route does have two “bailout points” for those who feel they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

The popular Sabrina Kids of Steel introduces its new Adventure format and is bound to be an absolute hit with anyone under 12 years of age. The course involves short (age group dependent distance) swim and a 1km adventure trail run with obstacles. Parents & supporters may follow the kid’s progress right to the main finish chute.

Another perfect family day out and for those who are more competitive you won’t be disappointed.

A reminder that 100% of your entry fee goes directly to the Sabrina Love Foundation assisting kids with special needs in the Bitou Region.

Day 2 – Schedule
07.00am – The Sabrina 500m Lake Swim
08.00am – The Sabrina 25km Mountain bike Ride
10.00am – The Sabrina 10km Trail Run

The Sabrina Triathlon – The 3 above mentioned events can all be done as a staged Triathlon.

11.00am – The Sabrina Kids of Steel

12.30pm – Prize giving

Come and enjoy a day out with your whole family with food and entertainment to fill the day.
Some of the disciplines have maximum Number of Entries this year – so make sure you enter early and be part of this incredible Event.

or enter at the Sabrina Registration Trailer:
December 17 – 26 at Central Beach!

More Info: www.magneticsouth.net

Merry Christmas and see you soon.

Your Magnetic South Team

Two runnings of the Otter Trail route are sanctioned by SA National Parks, who open the trail to runners only one weekend every year under the most stringent of environmental considerations. “We understand this exhilarating race showcases the natural splendour of one of South Africa’s favourite national parks,” SANParks management said in a statement after signing an historic agreement with event organisers Magnetic South.

The concept of the OTTER African Trail Run was the collective brainchild of brothers John and Mark Collins, key partners in the successful event organising company, Magnetic South. Together with presenting sponsors Hi-Tec and nutritional sponsor GU, they set their sights on the impossible dream of ‘a 42km trail marathon along an unspoilt wilderness coastline’.

Numbers obviously need to be limited, so only 200 athletes are allowed to do both the Run (Friday) and the Ramble (Sunday). It is also most certainly not within everyone’s physical ability to do the Otter Hiking Trail in a single day, but last year Doctor Andre Gie proved a point by setting a blistering time of 4hrs 47min.

The magical 5hr barrier was first broken in 2009 by KZN runner Iain Don-Wauchope, who set a time of 4hrs 59min. Sedgefield local John Collins followed suit during the second running in 2010, but Gie made sure his glory was rather short-lived. This year, a total of 400 eager endurance runners were given the opportunity to take on both Collins and Gie, and rumour has it that they were gunning for the 4hrs 30min mark…

This year the race, again sponsored by global outdoor footwear and apparel manufacturer Hi-Tec, saw a star-studded field assembled at Storms River Mouth, including SA’s trail running star, Ryan Sandes. Fresh from his victory at the prestigious Leadville 100 mile Ultra Marathon in the USA, he would for the first time contend with a full-strength trail running field from all over the country.

Perfect weather saw the runners set off along the Otter singletrack just after sunrise, with the front bunch consisting of big guns Sandes, Andre Gie, William Robinson, Bruce Arnett, Greg Goodall, John Collins and local runner Victor Gugushe, from Plettenberg Bay. No quarter was given as they blasted along the forested coastline, with Sandes and Arnett moving into a two-minute lead by the halfway mark at the Lottering River crossing.

From here, the hard graft really starts to kick in, with three major climbs and the treacherous Bloukrans River crossing lying in wait. At Bloukrans, Sandes had extended his lead over the chasing Arnett to six minutes with the classy field behind these two strung out along the coastal paths.

In the end, Sandes’ superb class was just to good for the rest of the field. He steamed in across the floating bridge finish in an incredible time of 4hrs 40min, decimating the current record by more than 7min.

“In the last nine kilometres I was feeling it, but what a stunning route and a privilege to run here. Swimming across Bloukrans River was definitely a first for me in a trail race!” said an elated Sandes at the finish.

A strong women’s field saw Su Don-Wauchope triumph over a tenacious Robyn Ferrar, with Landie Visser claiming a well-deserved third place.

All sub-five hours competitors have their names engraved on the ‘Otter Grail’, a trophy especially designed for the event, but this amazing race is also about the brave endurance athletes further down the field. In the end, ‘The Otter’ constitutes a single day brimming with incredible adventure and memories which will last a lifetime.

“This race never ceases to amaze and humble me”, said Race Director Mark Collins. “Once again, we saw an impeccable display of athleticism and running, especially from those who battled home in a gruelling twelve hours”, he continued. Superb organisation by Magnetic South and their professional crew saw the event unfold flawlessly and without mishap.

“In this, our third year of sponsoring the Otter, the race has matured into the most iconic trail race in South Africa attracting the crème de la crème of trail runners, as well as being a ‘must do’ on any runners bucket list,” said Ian Little, Marketing Marketing of outdoor apparel manufacturer Hi-Tec. “Our relationship with South African National Parks ensures it is a race close to our hearts and that of our customers, who are active outdoor people.”

According to event organiser Mark Collins, the key ethos around the OTTER African Trail Run focuses on environmental preservation. “The only way we can make this event 100% sustainable for competitors, landowners and the outdoor tribe is to be untouchable when it comes to how we treat the environment.”

Men

1.         Ryan Sandes, 4.40.15
2.         Bruce Arnett, 4.51.51
3.         Victor Gugushe, 4.53.57

Women

1.         Su Don-Wauchope, 5.39.42
2.         Robyn Ferrar, 5.44.52
3.         Landie Visser, 5.47.00

This 42-kilometre trail run traverses the Otter Hiking Trail, a popular five-day hike within the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. The Otter Run was first held three years ago and Iain Don-Wauchope broke the mythical five-hour barrier to win the race in 4hrs 59mins. Last year the race record dropped when John Collins ran 4:56:43. Collins’ reign as ‘Otter King’ was short lived. 24-hours later Andre Gie, taking part in the Southern Storm Duathlon, which began with the running of The Otter, set a new record of 4:48:53 when he finished only 12-seconds ahead of Don-Wauchope.

Collins and Gie will be under pressure this year, surrounded by a half-dozen runners just as strong, fast and experienced – each with recent wins in credible trail races. They’ll be up against Rohan Kennedy, who won this year’s African X; Mark Preen comes off a win at the Hout Bay Trail Run; Jacques Mouton won the Outeniqua Traverse and Nic de Beer won the 80km PUFfeR. Bruce Arnett has the most distance experience in his legs with endurance honed from experience. Plett local, Victor Gugushi is the lightest of the runners with a speedy road background. If he takes care of himself and paces his race, he could be in contention. Greg Goodall is the dark horse of this race. A dedicated runner, his training has been specific and focused on The Otter, which may be the right formula to get him through the course ahead of the rest. Unfortunately Don-Wauchope won’t be running this year; he’s out with an injury.

For the first time, Ryan Sandes, who has become the face of trail running in the media, comes to run The Otter. With Sandes in the picture, all eyes will be on him to challenge the record. In only three years he has become a high-profile trail runner on the international stage. His performances continue to strengthen as he transforms from a multi-day desert staged race runner to an exceptional ultra runner and his recent win at the celebrated Leadville 100-mile race in Colorado, USA, stands as proof of this evolution. The Otter will certainly be Sandes’ most competitive local race with its gathering of exceptional runners.

“What a field!,” says race director Mark Collins. “The R5,000 reward, offered to runners breaking 4h30, by presenting sponsor Hi-Tec is certain to go to one of these guys. They all have speed, strength and the experience to really excel on this technical route and they’ll push from the start. In good conditions, with so many competitive runners upfront challenging each other, serious damage could be done to the current record making it far more difficult to better in coming years.”

The 42-kilometre stretch of undulating Garden Route coastline is no walk in the park. Participants run above plunging sea cliffs and negotiate rock-strewn trails, sandy beaches, treacherous tree roots, gruelling climbs and at least three river crossings.

The Otter – African Trail Run presented by Hi-Tec takes place on Friday, 30 September 2011.

By tradition, the Rush – brought to you by kickbutt energy ballz and Vibram fivefingers technical shoes – forms one of the highlights of the final day of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival – and this year Knysna served up perfect, balmy winter weather for the occasion.

“The short, explosive nature of the event makes it a great spectator sport, and, with the Navy’s concert  band creating an incredible atmosphere,  the vibe at the Waterfront was electric – all of which contributed to the athletes posting frighteningly fast times,” said Race Director Mark Collins of event organisers Magnetic South.

Unlike most multisport events – which generally take place in remote areas that aren’t usually accessible to the viewing public – the Hansa Waterfront Rush takes place within the confines of a limited area of the Waterfront at the Knysna Quays. It requires competitors to show their skills at kayaking and climbing – and on a very unusual obstacle course that included ‘running’ on the water in Africa’s only Hydrobroncs (which look a little like inflatable hamster wheels).

Of course, the Rush isn’t a one day affair – 94 hopefuls (18 women and 76 men) took part in the heats on the two days leading up to the elimination rounds, with 74 people posting qualifying times. In the end, Steven Webber, Ryan Louw, Olivier Feuillette, Tanya Weyers, Gabriel van Wyk, Arnold Venter, Martin Fraser McKenzie and Cameron Taylor met in the semi-finals.

“It may seem strange to see men and women competing on the same leader board, but thanks to our G-Bat system (gender-based adjustment for time), everyone has an equal chance of taking the R10,000 first prize,” said Mr. Collins.

This year saw the introduction of a photographic competition for spectators.  “The Hansa Waterfront Rush is a superbly photogenic event,” said Mr. Collins, “and we’re looking for the shots that’ll capture its essence.”

He said that all entries can be viewed on www.facebook.com/motionpixel and that the winners will be announced on the 16^th of July.

In the end, of course, it comes down to experience, and with local man Martin Fraser McKenzie up against the father of the play-boat and retired professional paddler, Olivier Feuillette, it was always going to be an explosive affair.

“This makes it four years in a row that Ollie’s taken the crown, and I think we can now safely call him the King of the Rush – he’s a class act who’s impossible to beat!” said Mr. Collins.