Renier Louwrens from Secunda attempts Drakensberg Grand Traverse

“I can understand why people die here. To your left, right, back and front are just mountains. You can scream as loud as you want, no one will hear you,” said Renier.

A decision had to be made between life and death by Renier Louwrens when recently attempting the Drakensberg Grand Traverse (DGT) North to South, 250km run.

Founder of the Beyond39 (NPO), and season 8 Survivor SA contestant, Renier took to the challenge to raise some much-needed funds for charities.

Renier’s life had been impacted in a meaningful and fantastic way by the show.

He was voted out of Survivor SA as the 11th contestant on day 26 of the game and wanted to use this to his advantage to make a difference.

His goal is to raise money and pump it back into the community by bringing relief.

Before the grand event of attempting the DGT, Renier worked and trained extremely hard in preparation for this trek.

However, nothing would have prepared him for the actual event and the cold, wet conditions he had to endure, which would ultimately see him pulling out.

“Doing the DGT is a massive thing, not just training but the logistics behind it,” said Renier.

He said the build-up was to make sure all was in place such as permits, business support, trial runs and scouting of routes.

Before the DGT, Renier had done five scouting runs of which he had scouted different sections of the routes and made notes as he went.

“The logistic and physical commitment to the DGT was massive. I realised very quickly I was in deep,” said Renier.

At the starting line, there were no banners, music or groups of people cheering as one would expect in a race.

“It is just you and you alone. You stand there, look at your watch and start running. The intimidation and fear are indescribable.

“I can understand why people die here. To your left, right, back and front are just mountains. You can scream as loud as you want, no one will hear you.”

Renier ventured out on his quest just after 4am with his GPS, watch and headlights. Two hours in, he met up at a point with his wife Lize and father Herman Louwrens.

He continued to summit the first of six peaks, Mount Aux-Sources.

Despite a few tumbles and a watch that stood still, Renier made great time and was on record pace.

More than 11 hours in, the weather changed.

“Everything turned. It started raining and the weather took a turn for the worst. Temperatures were between 0 and 10 degrees.”

He continued the run for eight hours in freezing, wet and slippery conditions, and the record time was looking bleak for Renier and out of his reach.

He managed to summit the second peak in 14 and a half hours.

“At this point, I was struggling. I shifted my focus from chasing the record time to getting out alive.

“The thought had crossed my mind how this would affect my family if I did not come out of this alive.”

Renier headed towards Ndumeni Cave to wait it out there and to recover some warmth, get out of wet clothes and survive the night.

This was a cave he first discovered on one of his scout runs, proving the worth of the months of preparation that was put in.

“I was still committed to finish at that point. I knew the record was out of the question.”

He said as he was getting warmer he could think rationally and regroup before taking off again.

But by morning the weather conditions had worsened. He had to way up to his options. Even though he was physically and mentally able to continue the run, the terrains were life-threatening due to wet and slippery conditions.

There was also a possibility of hypothermia and death.

“I had to make that decision. I am sad that I did not finish, but I am not disappointed in my decision.

“It was the right call to make. There is no reason to risk one’s life when we can still change thousands of lives.”

Beyond39 is not finished, if anything it has just begun. This was the first of many challenges and greater things were yet to come and will see many charities benefiting in the near future.

Beyond39 is currently working on a feeding scheme that will consist of a mobile food truck that will serve hot meals to the less fortunate in the Secunda community.

Renier is calling on churches and businesses to work together with Beyond39 to make this sustainable.

“We need to look after the people in our community. We want to make people’s lives sustainably better,” said Renier referring to Beyond39’s motto.

If you would like to know more about Beyond39 visit https://renierlouwrens.com/beyond39/what-is-beyond39/ or you can email Renier at renier@renierlouwrens.com

Renier is very grateful and passionate about his involvement with Beyond39’s main partners Westvaal Motors, Isuzu and Fireplace Roadhouse.

“It is because of generous hearts and the business minds of people like Philip Luwes from Westvaal and Melissa Bettencourt that we are able to sow so much back into our local community and restore hope in the lives of those who feel like there is none left,” concluded Renier.

Source: Ridgetimes News