Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 109, Aug 2018 | Page 27

TRAIL RUNNING
create online spaces for the trail running community
to grow and support one another. This led to the FKT
Series that he launched recently on Facebook and
Instagram.
The idea came to him while he was out exploring trails
on Table Mountain, and it showcases many of the
most popular as well as some lesser known trail runs
around Cape Town. “I tried to find online routes videos
that were user-friendly to other trail lovers, but there
was nobody in SA even attempting to do what I have
in mind, and I saw a gap to be filled,” he says.
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Young designer, artist and entrepreneur Lucas Adams has been an avid trail
runner since 2014, and now he is using his passion for creativity and running to
bring more people to the trails. – BY PJ MOSES
H
e was a self-confessed ‘gym rat’ and just an
occasional runner when a friend suggested
that Lucas Adams try a trail race, and though
he finished the tough 36km Table Mountain Challenge
in what he describes as a “completely broken state
physically,” he was still over the moon with the
experience. “I felt like I had just won my own race,
even though in reality I didn’t even break the top
30. The vibe and the encouragement from other
trail runners during the run just blew me away, and I
knew then that I had to be part of this community of
people.” managed a win at the Bastille 50km in Franschhoek.
“Going into that race I felt good and I thought I could
really go for it. I even told myself that if all went to
plan, I could come away with a victory. It was never
going to be easy, especially against a pretty good field
of runners, with the likes of Andrea Biffi and others
in the mix, but I managed to dig deep and hold them
all off. This win, along with another magical run that
got me a second place behind Bernard Rukadza at
the Marloth Mountain Challenge in 2015, remains a
highlight.”
He soon became a trail regular, attempting even
longer and tougher distances as he continued to
push his boundaries. “The more I run the happier
I feel afterward,” he says. Now, 30 trail races later,
Lucas has been on the podium 10 times and in 2017 Interestingly, Lucas says he has no ambitions at
present to become a pro runner, he just wants to keep
testing himself against the mountains and in strong
fields of runners. What does tickle his fancy, however,
and lights a fire in his soul, are ideas about how to
NEW IDEA BORN
Using the Strava app and social media as a
foundation, Lucas is attempting to bring all trail
runners in Cape Town and further afield together.
“It hasn’t been easy, and I had to teach myself
filmmaking techniques to make short videos that
could be posted on YouTube with links on Facebook
and trailers on Instagram, which would showcase
different fastest known time (FKT) trails around Cape
Town, so that people can explore these trails at their
own pace. They could challenge themselves by using
Strava to set personal faster times on each segment
of the route, or go big and attempt the fastest time
overall. This adds a little bit of the competitive edge
that most people like, even if it’s to see who is faster
between a group of friends.”
CHOOSE YOUR OWN TRAIL
In this modern world, finding balance can be
challenging, but Lucas says trail running helps keep
his life aligned. “I love delving into new projects, and a
day spent working to make my ideas a reality followed
by a late afternoon trail adventure is what I would
call a good day.” He also has a zen-like approach to
life which shines through in his work and his running.
“Don’t give one part of your life more than any other.
It’s important to learn how to ride the waves that the
sea of life will send your way,” he says.
“Every failed attempt should be used as a learning
curve and the knowledge gained should be used for
progress. Own your uniqueness and do not copy what
others are doing, thinking that it will make you happy.
Find your purpose, start that pro