8.ooam – Southern Storm athletes start the 2km walk to the Start Line for their 13 km Trail Run through Goukamma National Park. The wind has settled and the sun is shining bright, but thick mist is hanging over the ocean.

8.30am the helicopter hovers over the bright blue Hi-Tec Start Arch as competitors start the race along the beach and soon disappear in the mist that closes in from the sea.

Athletes have to run along the beach, before they turn into the fynbos covered dunes. Mark Collins warns everybody about Puffadders, that love the fynbos and the warm temperatures, but luckily none of them get into the athlete’s way.

First male runner to cross the finish line is Hi-Tec sponsored athlete Iain Don-Wauchope, followed by Iron Man athlete Paul Wolff. Iain, being smaller than his fellow competitors had a huge advantage running underneath the low fynbos canopy. In the female category Sue Don Wauchope came in first, followed by Hanlie Booyens.

Kirsty Scott, one of the Scott twin sisters, had a bit of bad luck when she overran one of the route markers and added 1 km to her run.