A lovely hike with newly weds Janet and Art

I recently had such an enjoyable hike! I love hiking and show-casing Table Mountain to guests! It is such a treat meeting like minded people where you end up talking and exchanging information and at the end of the hike, you seem to have learnt and shared as much as they have! I had a great hike with newly weds (like myself) visiting from New York - Janet and Art - they were fit and shared my love of both running, cycling, travel and the outdoors!

They were fast and furious up Platteklip Gorge - I think I am going to have to put up a leaderboard... After that they were interested to got to Maclear's Beacon - this is a trail on the top of Table Mountain that leads to the highest point on the mountain 1086m.

The weather was mostly clear with a very high cloud of mist just hanging below the top of the mountain - it kept us cool - blocked some views from the top, but once we cleared this cloud on our cable car journey back we were able to admire the 360 degree views!

Thanks for a great day - the saddest part is saying goodbye after sharing such great times with guests! I had lovely feedback that always makes me so pleased! "We really had so much fun today- our best experience in cape town"

Running in the garden with Sandra - at Kirstenbosch

Sandra was visiting Cape Town from France with her husband to do a mountain biking tour with Patrick - it turned out that she was also a trail runner. We had a great run through the Kistenbosch gardens - we stopped in the sculpture gardens to get our breath back and then we had a picnic in the gardens - what a treat!

On top of the world with Yuval - Table Mountain Hike

Yuval was visiting Cape Town from Israel before going to Uganda where she would be volunteering in a "beautiful orphanage with beautiful people." being a lover of nature, she had to conquer Table Mountain - we climbed up Platteklip Gorge - this makes stair-master at the gym look like child's play! We walked and rested 'till we got to the top... Yuval is a very determined  young woman.

Sinead enjoys "bootcamp" Cape Town with Energy In Abundance

I met Sinead from UK as a guest staying at The Bay Atlantic guest house in Camps Bay, she was visiting her brother in Cape Town, her concern was that she may get bored during the day whilst he was working... Team Energy in Abundance came to the rescue!

We took Sinead on a spectacular trail run just before sunset - she was joined by guides Nicola and Patrick. We even loaned her shoes as she did not expect that she would get the opportunity to run during her stay.

Her next fitness session was a cycle along the coastal road with Jos - once again we loaned her cycling equipment and bike. Guiding fees for Jos were donated to The Sports Trust Charity.

Lovely feedback:

"Thank YOU again for everything. It's lovely to meet such positive, inspirational people"
Sinead

Angie Trains for Ironman with Energy in Abundance

Angie joined us for multiple training sessions. Her first tour was a run along the promenade - her last name is Flight and she really does FLY! We have no pictures of her running - she was too fast. She was a great strong runner - she was joined by both guides Nicola and Patrick and she gave US a great run!

Angie did not have a bike with her so she  rented a bike, helmet and shoes from us. She joined our cycle guide Jos who is based in Camps Bay for a guided cycle to the scenic Chapman's Peak Drive in Hout Bay, Angie can feel proud knowing that our cycling guide Jos donates his guiding fees towards local charity THE SPORTS TRUST.

The Sports Trust was established in September 1995 as a joint venture between the private and public sectors all with a shared goal of providing opportunities to play sport to all disadvantaged South Africans, at all levels, across all sporting codes. As an NGO, Public Benefit Organisation, we only supply sporting kit, equipment or assistance with building or upgrading sporting facilities, and no cash sponsorships.

Angie stayed in Stellenbosch for the last part of her trip where we delivered her rental bike and equipment and she was accompanied by our Stellenbosch based guide for a tour and training session in the beautiful Stellenbosch Winelands area.

We wish her all the best for her Ironman experience and we are sure that she absolutely FLEW :)

On The Table Top with Kathleen and Howard - hike tour

Hi Nicola,
Happy Sunday. Thank you again for a wonderful time Friday. Looking at the weather yesterday morning, I'd say we picked the perfect day. Take Care, Katie

After hours of walking in secluded mountain paths via Kasteelsport route - Howard and Katie were greeted by the bustling Table Top and 360degree views... it took their breath away for a second time!

Simon goes "Cycad" Kirtstenbosch Run Pictures

The Kirstenbosch Gardens were featured at the RHS Chelsea Flower show 2013 to celebrate the 100th anniversary - They were awarded a gold medal.... again :)

 

 

 

Majestic Castle Rock viewed from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

 

Simon runs some of the Paths in the Botanical Gardens

 

Simon amongst the Cycads

 

 

The freshest water on earth

 

Playing in the trails above the Botanical Gardens

 

 

 

Simon Said... Table Mountain Run Pictures and testimonial from Simon

Simon Said...............

I met Nicola when we were both running the Round the Rock ultra marathon http://www.roundtherock.co.uk/ a 48 mile trail run round the coast of Jersey, Channel Islands.  Nicola was in Jersey to assist with group training sessions, run the race and promote South Africa as a sports destination.  I recently visited Cape Town on business and wanted to make sure I took advantage of the opportunity to run in one of the most iconic trail running destinations in the world!  I contacted Nicola to discuss the options available and she arranged everything including transport for an early morning start to miss the hottest part of the day.  We ran the Pipe Track on Table Mountain and the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens route.  It was a great experience - made all the better by having an experienced local guide.  The conditions were perfect for trail running and the views were totally awesome.  Cape Town is certainly the most memorable and beautiful place I have ever run!

 

 

Simon arrives in style at Table Mountain

 

 

Off the beaten track - we pick a shaded run on the lower slopes

 

 

Simon runs along parts of the Pipe Track

 

Great views of Lions Head in the back ground

 

Guide Nicola asses the route back

 

 

 

 

Compulsory Coffee Break at famous Camps Bay Vida E

 

 

 

LOVE, SPORTS, BUSINESS AND TOURISM

                             

 

 

A year ago, having returned from a 15 month sabbatical in Jersey Channel Island, Nicola Lockhart decided to finally stop talking and to follow her dream of sports tourism. During her time alone on the Island, she realised that sport, and running in particular, was her passport to the world. She made great friendships and worked for the company Greenlight, that was the sponsor for the Island's first ever Ultra Marathon – Round the Rock, boasting seventy-seven breath taking kilometres around the Island. She became involved in week-end training sessions with athletes and took part in the run – placing 3^rd lady.

On her return to South Africa, she became involved in assisting with management at four star guest house “The Bay Atlantic” in Camps Bay. She mentioned her plans to start a sports tourism business and her friends that own the guest house introduced her to Patrick Hendriks – tour guide from Cape Escape Tours, Cape Mountain Biking Tours and Cape Hiking tours.

They met to discuss business and their love of sports and the outdoors. They became inseparable and their friendship eventually turned to romance. The first week of their relationship was exhausting admits Nicola, “we both tried to do as much as possible to impress the other from cycling ,running, hiking and even surfing – eventually I asked Patrick if we could just relax for the day and we were both relieved to know that we also enjoyed chilling out.”

Patrick assisted Nicola in setting up her business Energy in Abundance – A sports guiding business that assists athletes with local companionship for running, hiking and cycling (including bike hire) featuring The Big Five Running Tour (5 of the most scenic run routes in Cape Town) private transport is offered for all tours.

Patrick introduced Nicola to hiking and all the flora on the Table Mountain and Nicola introduced Patrick to trail- running. However, on 14^th February, Patrick presented Nicola with a Protea she had never seen before – it was enclosed with a ribbon and had an engagement ring inside! They were married on 28^th of July.

The two have since started Cape Mountain Hiking and Running Tours – they take guests on beautiful hiking and trail-running routes, including an overnight tour on Table Mountain.

Nicola has a background in fashion, business and sports. She is an experienced runner and triathlete, and she holds Western Province colours for triathlon and duathlon. She has represented South Africa internationally in both triathlon and duathlon worlds and finished Ironman twice. Nicola has also raced Comrades Marathon, Two Oceans Ultra Marathon and Puffer – Ultra Trail Run.

Patrick started his tourism business, Cape Escape in 1995 and later ventured into technical mountain biking Tours – including 7 day tours throughout the Western Cape. He has competed in The Epic Mountain bike race, was placed 3^rd in his category at SA trail running champs.

 

Table Mountain Trail Run

Patrick recently guided Californian athlete Ana - she selected an individual Table Mountain Run. We adapted the run to suit her needs as she was happier to do a longer distance as training for her up and coming race. Both Patrick and Ana had a great run and the weather was amazing!

"The run was perfect! I am training for the New York City marathon so the extra distance was fine. I did joke that he ran like an agile mountain goat an I was more like a clumsy donkey on those rocks, but I loved it!

I sang your praises to the hotel and told them about the mountain biking too. I have a very active group of friends so will pass the word along should any decide to travel your way.  

I think your company is such a great idea because I always want to run and think it is a great way to explore a new place but often travel alone and don't feel as safe doing do. So, thanks!" Ana

 

 

Inagural Red Carpet Rhino Run featuring running legends Bruce Fordyce and Zola Budd

We celebrated our inaugural "Red Carpet Rhino Run" on Good Friday.The Rhino run is part of a series of Big Five runs
 excursions that have been designed to showcase the best that Cape Town has to offer www.energyinabundance.com. We run min 5km (we adjust distance according to requirements) and we spend at least an hour at each destination. Private transport is included in the cost of the tour - up to 7 passengers per trip.

Elephant Run - Table Mountain
Rhino Run - Promenade (Seapoint/Camps Bay)
Leopard Run - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Lion Run - Constantia Winelands
Buffalo Run - Hout Bay

The Red Carpet (Rhino) Run is a charity run where we invite a local celebrity and make a donation to support a charity or cause that they have chosen. If they do not have a particular charity then we will make a donation to The Endangered Wildlife Trust.

Bruce Fordyce agreed to host our most recent run and selected The Sports Trust as his chosen organisation www.thesportstrust.co.za/. Whilst marketing our run we were contacted and told that Zola Budd would like to join us for the run. As you can imagine, this was like being blessed by the pope ......twice.

We ran on Good Friday - which I will now remember as BEST Friday! We were joined by runners, mostly doing a last gentle leg loosener run before taking part in The Two Oceans Run. We ran an easy and chatty run from the Seapoint Promenade towards the Moullie Point lighthouse and back to our Mascot Herbert the Hippo who greeted us with Easter eggs, hot cross buns and water.

I unfortunately was unable to talk much with Zola during the run but enjoyed Bruce's inspiring and humorous stories. He has an amazing passion for his running and is very down to earth. He spoke fondly with Zola referring to competing internationally and funny little memories. Many of you may remember that Bruca Fordyce completed his 30th and last Comrades Marathon last year with Zola Budd who completed her first run. Fordyce remains a legend for his 9 comrades wins and Zola remains a legend for her great barefoot running.

Thanks for the honour of joining us on this great run! I hope all runners were inspired and ran personal bests at the Two Oceans ultra and half marathon.

Please join our facebook page for up to date information for our next RED CARPET RHINO RUN.