The 11th annual Volunteer Wildfire Services Trail Challenge was hosted in Deer Park on Mother’s Day this year, having seen torrential rain storms and ice cold wind in previous years. This year Mother Nature truly brought out her Sunday best.

25km Mens Winner Dion Middelkoop leading the pack through Deer Park – Photo by Andrew Hagen

 

With all funds being raised being put straight into running the VWS, a 100% volunteer run firefighting organisation with approximately 220 men and woman who dedicate their time to fight potentially devastating wildfires in the greater Western Cape area. This event provides a sizeable amount of the required funds to keep the VWS operational.

 

The siren sounded and off went the runners. As the morning chill lifted and the wind died down, the warm clear day allowed glorious views of Table Mountain and its surrounds including the fynbos we work so hard to protect. The flowering proteas along the route made the trudge up the steep climbs almost bearable. The VWS Trail Challenge is far from a Sunday afternoon walk in Deer Park and its challenging sections give each runner a chance to experience the steep hills that the VWS firefighters often have to climb.

Volunteers jumping for Joy after a successful day out in the mountains they protect – Photo by John Murray

 

The finish was especially festive. We kept majority of the ‘big ticket’ prizes for the lucky draw this year and this resulted in the most of the field sticking around to try their luck at getting their hands on the awesome prizes. Many of the runners came over the finish line with smiles on their faces. One runner said, when congratulated on completing the race “You know, I do this for you guys.” Just what the hard-working time keepers needed to make their day.

One of the leading ladies gives our photographer a ‘thumbs up’ – Photo by Andrew Hagen

As it was mothers day it was only fitting that the lovely ladies who took to the course took the limelight.

The top 3 ladies home in the 10km race were:

[1] – Linda Detering – 56:30

[2] – Susan Caras – 57:18

[3] – Robyn Ferrar – 58:34

The top 3 Men home in the 10km race were:

[1] – Robert Shaff – 45:11

[2] – Duncan Land – 46:37

[3] – Conor O’sullivan – 48:09

 

The top 3 ladies home in the 25km race were:

[1] – Keelyn Van Breda – 2:05:13

[2] – Taryn King – 2:07:58

[3] – Dunya Ansems – 2:09:07

The top 3 Men home in the 10km race were:

[1] – Dion Middelkoop – 1:54:49

[2] – Colin George – 1:55:38

[3] – Pieter Calitz – 1:57:52

Many thanks to our sponsors, our members, the eager new recruits and most importantly all the runners for the support – without you this event could not have been a success!

Visit our website www.vws.org.za and our various social media pages for all the photos and full race results.