Peninsula Ultra Fun Run

The Peninsula Ultra Fun Run, known for short as PUFfeR,^[1][2] is a no-frills ultra trail run which has been held annually in Cape Town, South Africa since 1995. There is no prize money and no major media coverage. Entries are limited to 125 participants who are expected to be independent, self-sufficient and environmentally aware.

The total distance is about 80 km, which is more or less the shortest possible route through the Table Mountain National Park with the best running tracks and views. The route runs from Cape Point to Red Hill Pass, through the Simon's Town Water Catchment Area to Black Hill, via Ou Kaapse Weg across Fish Hoek Valley to Silvermine Nature Reserve, through Tokai Forest Plantation and the Vlakkenberg footpath to Constantia Nek, over Table Mountain to the summit at Maclear's Beacon (1,086 metres above sea level), then down Platteklip Gorge to Kloofnek, via Signal Hill to Granger Bay.^[3] The 2015 event followed a slightly longer route to avoid fire damaged areas of the Table Mountain National Park and the Tuffer PUFfer (see below) was not held.^[4] Prior to 2013, the race ended at the V&A Waterfront. Well-stocked seconding points are provided wherever it is practical.

The Tuffer PUFfeR^[5] is a 160 km event which starts from Granger Bay. Runners make their way to Cape Point and back via the Puffer route. 2003 and 2004 also saw the "Ruffer Puffer" event which avoided nearly all road sections outside Cape Point.

Runners who fail to make the cut-off at the Constantia Nek checkpoint are considered to have completed the "PUFfeR fun run" (approximately 56 km).

Results^[6]

Winners

Year Men Ladies 2015[7] Luke Powers Caitlin Lewis 2014[8] Ben Brimble Charmaine Salvage 2013 Paul Brittain Charmaine Salvage 2012 AJ Calitz Linda Doke 2011 Nic de Beer Karoline Hanks 2010 Ryan Sandes Karoline Hanks 2009[9] William Robinson Linda Doke 2008 William Robinson Olivia Read 2007 James Frazer Sylvie Harris 2006 William Robinson Sylvie Harris 2005 Bruce Arnett Sylvie Harris 2004 Costa Dimouplos Sylvie Harris 2003 Craig Norris Sylvie Harris 2002 Iain Stewart Sylvie Harris 2001 Craig Norris Lucille Damon 2000 Bruce Arnett Heather Graz 1999 Mark Preen Michelle de Jager 1998 Mark Preen Janet Hodkin 1997 Mark Preen Sue Wardrop 1996 Jean-Paul van Belle Sue Wardrop 1995 Jean-Paul van Belle

Records

Name Category Time Year Ben Brimble Puffer Men 6:54:39 2014 Ryan Sandes Puffer Men* 6:57:25 2010 Olivia Read Puffer Ladies 8:13:20 2008 Andre Gie Tuffer Men 18:18:55 2013 Janette Terblanche Tuffer Ladies 24:32:00 2012

* (Alternate route, contour path)

References

1. Fish Hoek Athletic Club http://www.puffer.fishhoekac.com/index.htm
2. Trailrunning.co.za http://www.trailrunning.co.za/events_detail.php?id=172&type=past
3. Not documented anywhere else, but personally witnessed 24 August 2013
4. http://www.alltheevents.co.za/event/puffer-trail-run-2015/
5. Puffer Web Site http://www.puffer.fishhoekac.com/index_files/tuffer.htm
6. Puffer Web Site http://www.puffer.fishhoekac.com/index_files/honour.htm
7. VOB Trail Running Newsletter 25 August 2015 Tim Bellairs
8. Trailrunning.co.za http://www.trailrunning.co.za/news.php?newsId=1335,
9. Trailrunning.co.za http://www.trailrunning.co.za/news.php?newsId=466