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GARDEN ROUTE SPORT NEWS - The last running race before the Covid-19 restrictions kicked in, the Tortoise Tuff, took place on Saturday 14 March with more than 500 runners taking part, stretched across various distances and categories.

Ever since its inception in 1997, the Tortoise Tuff has become a mainstay of the running calendar on the Garden Route, and while running might directly contradict the ideology behind the Garden Route's self-titled "Slow Town", organisers have ensured the town's ethos still flows through the event.

With this year being the 23rd edition of the race, organisers set up a number of ways for any and everybody to take part, with running and walking options available for the 10km and 30km race distances, with 3km fun run and 23km trail run options available too.

Photo gallery: Tortoise Tuff 2020

Each race distance had its own starting time, but kicking off at the same point in town – Sedgefield Primary School – before making their way through and around the town at their own pace. The 30km walk got off first at 06:00 followed by the 30km run at 07:00, the trail run at 07:10, while the 10km run and walk started at 07:15, with the 3km fun run last to go off at 07:20.

Over the course of the next five hours, runners and walkers made their way through Sedgefield, with the trail runners enjoying stunning scenery as the route loops through Goukamma Nature Reserve and along the beach. The first runner in the 10km run, Lloyd Bosman, crossed the finish line in 29:57, while Benita Joubert was the first woman home with a time of 41:51.

In the 10km walk, Durando Aweries was first in a time of 58:11 with Karin Otto the first woman with a time of 01:09:00. With the 23km trail run, Francois Maquassa was first, finishing in 01:29:47 while Catherine Williamson finished as the first woman in 01:46:57. The 30km walk was won by Ernst van Zyl in a time of 03:35:06 while Aletta van Rensburg was second and the first woman over the line with 03:53:06 on the clock.

Finally, John April won the 30km run with a time of 01:48:06, while third-placed overall Emma Jones was the first woman over the line in 02:00:43.

Jonathan Monk takes a breather at a water point on the route. Photo: Emma Rorke/EL Rorke Photography

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