ON YOUR MARK

Long before the first event of the RMB UTCT begins, there's a team of runners laying down the route markers to make sure you find your way. Meet two of the best: Jaco Janse van Rensburg and Jan Ham, who handle the logistics behind one of the most important aspects of race-day safety.

- MIKE FINCH

Hammering in over 4 000 bamboo flags in the three days before the start of the Ultra-trail Cape Town races is not an easy task, and takes between 60 and 80 volunteers to accomplish - all led by two of the most experienced route markers in the business: route director Jaco Janse van Rensburg, and sweep coordinator Jan Ham.

It's their job to see that one of the most crucial aspects of UTCT planning is executed perfectly, by making sure every route is carefully marked.

"We have a motto," says Janse van Rensburg. "We mark tight, and we mark right."

Janse van Rensburg, 49, has been marking the UTCT route since the race first started in 2014. He saw an advert on the website asking for volunteers, and was given the job - and a printout of directions - by race director Stuart McConnachie.

“There were no GPX files or anything like that, back then,” says Janse van Rensburg. “I just ran by myself and marked the route, from Alphen to the end.”

On the trail he eventually ran into McConnachie, who was struggling with his segment of the route-marking after pulling a hamstring. Janse van Rensburg then told McConnachie he would finish the rest of the route for him - and he's been doing the job ever since.