trail

Runners share… a lot. We share long journeys on the trails, we share life stories, toilet breaks, emergency medical gear and, at a push, we’ll share our secret refuges or lesser known trails. But we don’t often share our truly weird race rituals or superstitions. Lucky undies? Charms in your pockets? Here is a round up of true stories that will make you feel better about your own quirks.

Consistency is King

There are years that come along and redefine certain arenas; 2019 was one for the running books. Here is a look back at a handful of the utterly memorable moments, plot twists, triumphs and tragedies that redefined our sport.

April

Ah the trail runner… an undeniably simple being, motivated simply by wide open spaces, natural environments and the pursuit of experiences over worldly goods. They choose mountains, they choose freedom, they choose community… but, for all their lack of commercially driven ideals, they also choose a lot of gear!

So what is on the 2019 list of Must-Haves for the trail runner in your life?

Our summer trails are alive with epic displays of flora, and teeming with bird and insect life. With sunrise around 5am in peak season, we have more hours to spend racking up the miles in our trail shoes, and can even squeeze in a decent session before the confines of an office.

So what should we all consider before lacing up in the heat of summer?

Hydration

On Friday 9 December, Cape Town resident and mountain runner, Hugh Hacking, took one of those calls that every dog owner dreads. He stepped out of a meeting to receive the news from his wife, Jess, that their 1 year old Ridgeback pup, Rusty, was missing in the Newlands Forest area. What transpired was an epic example of community support, canine loyalty and a story with all the potential to become a Hallmark movie.

Women’s Record Smashed at Ultra-trail Cape Town 

On 1 December, the 100km Ultra-Trail Cape Town presented by Salomon (UTCT), was dominated by the international contingent in the mens and the womens races, with the performance of the day being Great Britain’s Beth Pascall’s convincing breaking of the women’s record by over an hour, and placing 9^th overall.

A record 68 countries were represented across the 4-race event, with South Africans in firm support of the trail seasons grand finale.

If you’ve spent any time with trail runners lately, you have probably heard the term “buying land” or similar. This does not mean that said runner has invested in a pretty piece of single track, it means that they have left some of their dignity, and perhaps some DNA, out on a trail. Wipe outs happen, and it is important to know what to do when you, or a member of your crew, has eaten some dirt.

Sue Ulyett

Ok, so you’ve seen the stoke radiating off your friends when they come off the mountain, you’re envious of their Instagram content, and you know that there is magic out there beyond the “dreadmill” or the tar of the burbs… so where do you begin?

During the heated aftermath of the recent murder of a tourist near East Fort, SANParks announced the deployment of some 120 new additional monitors, funded by the Department of Tourism, to assist in reducing crime within SANParks managed areas.

On Sunday 9 June, South Africa sat glued to their TVs watching Gerda Steyn obliterate the Comrades Up Run record, becoming the only woman to run the event under 6 hours and finish well within the top 20 overall.