The RAC Tough One has been consistently ranked in a number of our surveys as a well organised and well presented event. Without fail the race achieves a high level of organisation, from an orderly start venue to well-appointed watering tables and a finish with the vibe of a big race. It is a good way to round off a year of running. The Asics Five is an official race and starts at 06h30.

The route is true to its name – tough, undulating and hilly. You start up Jan Smuts Avenue towards Randburg. This means two big climbs in the first kilometre-and-a-half. Now for the first respite: a one kilometre drop down Republic Road to Brightwater Commons before a testing 800 metre section to Malibongwe Drive where you turn right. Use the next two kilometres of steady downhill along Malibongwe to catch your breath.  As you cross the highway enjoy the last 500 metres of downhill before the two kilometre slog to Northgate. There is a flat section to the 11 kilometre mark at Ferreira’s Corner before turning right into Witkoppen Road with its brutal downhill to the bottom of Johannesburg North.

The race may well start after the 18 kilometre mark where there is a steady three kilometre climb through Douglasdale near the Bryanston Country Club. Forget the six monsters you have already climbed. They were just to soften you up for the journey to St Stithians School. There is slight relief as you run down Republic Road and into William Nicol before the last slog along St Andrews Road after the 28-kilometre marker. After this there is a relatively flat section as you make your way along Waterfall Avenue into Athol Avenue and the sharp right into Jan Smuts Avenue. Turn right into Old Parks and all that is left is the last 400 metres around the top cricket field, down the straight dip, arms in the air.