#HellofaRun… A local trailie’s first-hand account of SkyRun 2019
Plett trail-runner Lourika Pienaar was last week the only female competitor from behind the ‘Dolfyngordyn’ to tackle the 65km route of SkyRun 2019 – an epic mountain race considered by many to be the toughest trail run in South Africa.
Traversing remote terrain of the Witteberg Mountain range, the event offers three options.
The SkyRun 38 kicked off on a Sunday morning. when participants followed an unmarked route of 38km with a seven-hour cut-off time. Athletes tackling Sky Rim 100 started on Saturday at 4 am, with a cut-off at 10 am on Sunday.
As per the 100km race, the one-day SkyRun 65 is unique in that it is truly self-supported and self-navigational, with athletes operating at an average height of between 2,200m and 2,500m above sea level.
Apart from a map, compass or GPS unit to track their unmarked course, they also carry a backpack containing all their food, water and compulsory equipment enabling them to survive this harsh environment.
So how exactly does one train for this ultimate high of a trail trial?
Says Lourika: “I prepared in earnest for about five months preceding the race by circumnavigating Rob-berg twice a week while also doing two weekly boot camps with Jo Mackenzie and a long run of about 25km during weekends with Sam Webster [now Kruger].”
But could the combination of these toils prepare her for the actual run?
“We set off at 4 am in Lady Grey and during the first 25km, I felt really out of breath because of the altitude. Every now and again. I designated a special rock to rest on for a moment, catch my breath and take in the immense beauty – literally on top of the world.
“After 30km 1 was used to the thin air and started having fun with the rim. But mini-disaster struck when, around the 50km checkpoint, my watch ran out of battery, making navigating to Balloch quite a challenge.”
At an altitude of 2,624m, Balloch is the only point where seconding is allowed and supporters can actually lay eyes on the athletes.
“I was ecstatic to see my brother [fellow Piett resident and Ironnian contender Murray Pienaar] at Balloch.
where he replenished my water supply and enabled me to get moving again promptly. He also told me that I looked “fantastic?”
Thus bolstered, Lourika now had to face a much-feared race featured called “The Wall’ – a massive mountain offering 500m of elevation over the stretch of a mere 2km.
“While busy climbing, I Hashed back to the race briefing when we were told to run The Wall with our hearts in case our legs faltered. This advice was my saving grace. Conquering that wall was harder than passing Grade 1 to 12 – all in one test.”
Doing her town and trail mates proud, Lourika finished strongly in a time of 14:19 – yes, that’s running 65km from Lady Grey to the Wartrail Country Club finish line at an elevation gain of 3.300m, Congrats!
See www.cxpress.caza for a gallery of images.