Gather on the Stutterheim Road and race back to East London. What a great idea! This marathon is run through the emerald-green rolling hills close to East London. For the greater part, the route is forgiving and slightly downhill. The early stages are beautiful and these initial kilometres are easy to run. One could almost be lulled into a false sense of security, as one green kilometre effortlessly gives way to the next. There is a secret to running this deceptively cunning marathon.  Go out easy in the early stages. A hint of the work ahead comes as you run over a small drift near the 32-kilometre mark. Shoulder in here and grind up to the traffic circle and the R72.

The hills in the closing stages will test even the strongest of climbers. Most of the hard work on this marathon is found in the closing six kilometres and any early indiscretions will be paid for dearly. The descent past the Christian Centre is welcome, before the route goes through leafy Abbotsford. The end is near but first a run along the Old Transkei Road where you follow the route of the Nahoon River. Before bidding farewell there is the final but very firm handshake of the dreaded Willasdale Ascent. This part of the race is as tough as any marathon and will test even the bravest but you are home and Buffalo Park waits.