Behind the success of every year’s Absa Cape Epic is an enormous team of crew, volunteers, sponsors and full time staff ensuring that the event takes place as effortlessly as possible for all the participating Cape Epic enthusiasts. Forty one volunteers hail from as far as Australia, the USA, the Russian Federation to Canada, including 26 from South Africa. Many of them are return volunteers – a great testament to the success of the Absa Cape Epic volunteer programme.
Karen Clements, Race Logistics Manager, says: “What many people don’t realise is that with the Absa Cape Epic hosting 1 200 riders, there is a crew of almost 872 people behind the scenes who ensure the best possible service and comfort for the participants. They make sure that everything runs as smoothly as what the event is known for! Some of these heroes are never even seen by riders as they’re working behind the scenes, sometimes throughout the night, to make sure that those who participate have everything they could possibly need.”
The race village in Worcester on Stage 4 of the 2011 Absa Cape Epic
She says that the dedication of the crew is absolutely amazing. “When you take into consideration that the catering crew starts at 2am to ensure that breakfast is ready in time, to the guys who set up the waterpoints at 5am; there is just always someone up and about and on the move at the Absa Cape Epic to make sure life is easier for the rest.”
Dekker Vermeulen, who has been with the event since the very first Absa Cape Epic, is in charge of ensuring that all the tents (a whopping 1 800) are moved from one stage to the next, without disrupting any of the riders. By the time riders arrive at their next destination, the infamous red tents are ready for them, displayed in the layout that is representative of the Absa Cape Epic and instantly recognisable.
Vermeulen states that every year is different. “This year we used children from the local schools. It was tricky as children get tired faster and don’t have as much physical energy as grownups do. We couldn’t exhaust the children so we had to take it a bit easier. This year we started setting up on the 25th of March. It takes us a day and a half to set up each race village. There are three different villages in this year’s race and three sets of tents in total, but only one set of mattresses, which delays the set up process a bit. We start early morning and work till late afternoon.”
Although in charge, Vermeulen refuses to take any of the credit: “Without the support of the team none of this is possible. We all work hard and help each other where we can, coordinating our efforts to reach our goal.”
Numerous logistics runners (affectionately known as the “Zulus”) are also on the event to help with everything possible under the sun, from moving barricades at 11pm in the rain, to carrying tables and chairs, mattresses for the riders to whatever else is required to ensure a smooth run of events. Some of these runners include well known characters like Phil “Soli” Solomon with his always helpful and friendly face, Keri-Ann Read, a fully qualified architect who volunteered this year, Dianovan Lucus who started off as a baggie, and many more.
“They help riders, crew and everyone else with all those small tasks no one else has time, energy or the capability to complete, which ensures the tremendous success of the event. Their contribution is invaluable to the success of the Absa Cape Epic,” says Clements.
Millie Sodom is one of the cleaners working on the event. Her shift starts at 06:00 in the morning and she works until the afternoon. Her duties include ensuring that the kitchen, media centre and toilets are clean at all times. Commenting on the Absa Cape Epic, she says: “It’s a very interesting event. I’m constantly amazed at the friendliness of everyone. I truly appreciate how genuinely hospitable they all are – it means a great deal to me.”
She says it is breathtaking to see the 1 200 riders challenge themselves on a daily basis. “I therefore really don’t mind helping out where I can. These riders are exhausted after each stage, and for me to do something small that helps them in some way, makes it all worth it. The day just flies by because it’s such a wonderful environment to work in, and I’ll be honoured to work with the team again at future events.”
Back for her 3rd Absa Cape Epic is popular security guard Fowzia Gideon of Dynamic Management. Team members appreciate her friendly and sufficient service so much that she was especially requested again to guard the media centre at the event. Her twelve hour day starts at seven in the morning, before she can finally retire for the day early evening. Although she is involved in many events, the Absa Cape Epic is always a highlight for her.
Fowzia Gideon of Dynamic Management is back this year for her 3rd Absa Cape Epic
“I always look forward to seeing all the people from all over the world come together again for this event. There are some regulars who are always back, and we’re all very excited to see one another. The people here at the Absa Cape Epic are the nicest people with the most beautiful hearts I’ve ever encountered in my life. They’ve got so much respect for me, and I for them,” she says.
Gideon says that she feels incredibly proud and honoured that it is requested that she returns every year. “The fact that they trust me so much makes me joyfully jump out of bed in the mornings as I can’t wait to see everyone again. I have to thank my boss JD Pretorius for allowing me to return to these special people year after year. The Absa Cape Epic people are so generous. I’ve even been invited to Australia by one of the rider’s mother to come and visit them there. When one of the younger riders passed away last year, it broke my heart, as it reminded me so much of when I lost my own son. His aunt especially comes to visit me every day to give me a big hug. It’s incredibly humbling to see how this event brings out the best in everyone.”
Robbie Aderndorf is contracted by Star Fleet Rentals for the Absa Cape Epic on a part time basis, moving the editing suites after the productions wrap after each stage location moves. He has been a truck driver for the past three years.
Says Aderndorf: “We drive to the venue the night before at about 22:00 and set up till 02:00 in the morning. We have to be up at 06:30 every morning to set up everything. During the day the editing suites stay in one place so I try to help out where I can, doing odd jobs and lots of additional driving.”
He loves working on the event. “It is the environment and the energy. Everyone is hyped but relaxed at the same time. It is like a holiday where you have to wake up very early.”
Karl Platt and Christoph Sauser win NTT Masters category in fine style
