Harrismith - Mountain Race

An important sporting event is the Harrismith Mountain Race, held annually on October 10th, whose origins go back to the Boer War. Near Harrismith is a hill, the Platberg (2,377m/7,799ft), of which a British officer, Major Belcher, spoke disparagingly, referring to it as "our little hill". Thereupon a citizen of the town, annoyed, bet Belcher that he could not reach the top in an hour. Belcher won the bet and established a prize for all future winners of the race.