TRAIL RUNNING
Records smashed at 25 th Skyrun
The 2021 edition of the legendary K-Way SkyRun delivered in all the right places , from records being smashed to the addition of three more names to the list of athletes who have completed the 100km route in under 13 hours !
Simon Tshabalala Tarrin van Niekerk
After winning the 2021 K-Way 4 Peaks Mountain Challenge , dubbed the hardest 24km mountain race in Southern Africa , and setting a new course record along the way , Simon Tshabalala once again showed his strength in the mountains by taking the top podium position at the 2021 K-Way SkyRun – and he only missed setting a new course record by mere seconds as he came home in a time of 12 hours 9 minutes and 38 seconds . “ The race was tough , but I ’ m very happy with the win ,” said a beaming Simon after his dominant win .
Tied for second place were Grobler Basson and Christiaan Greyling , in 12:58:44 . “ This is such an achievement for me ,” said Christiaan . “ In 25 years , less than 10 people have completed this 100km route in under 13 hours , so I feel honoured to make the list ! It was great to race with Grobler , as we were wellmatched and really pushed each other to the limit !”
The win I the women ’ s 100km race went to Tarrin van Niekerk , who started the race targeting a sub-20- hour finish , but she had a brilliant run to finish eighth overall in a brilliant time of 16:30:56 . “ It was such an amazing day , the weather was perfect , but this win was completely unexpected , so I am overjoyed at it !” she exclaimed after her run . Second place went to Jessica Barrow in 17:13:26 , and third was Jade Pickard in 18:58:40 .
Wonder Women
In the 65km race , first place went to Mojongile Tonic Masilo , smashing Simon Tshabalala ’ s 2020 record by nearly 30 minutes in a time of 8:09:33 . “ I felt great out there in the mountains ” he said . Second place went to Erhard Sauer in 8:18:16 , with SkyRun veteran AJ Calitz third in 8:38:23 .
However , the women were the real heroes of the 65km race , with another course record set as the top three all finished in less than 10 hours . Landie Greyling took first place in 9:41:51 , and joked , “ I am really glad I was not doing the 100km route , as today was the first time I was able to turn right after The Wall , instead of left , so it was a bit of a different experience for me . The weather was great , everything was just perfect for me , and thanks to Pure Adventures and everyone who put on this amazing show , it ’ s really special .”
Second home in the women ’ s 65km was Kristen Heath in 9:53:04 , with Natalie van Reenen third in 9:57:46 , while the 38km titles went to Delphinus Sauer in 5:04:01 and Carla Beyers in 6:30:25 .
Top Talent on Show
“ Like last year , in the few days leading up to this SkyRun we had a lot of rain predicted , so we were sure we were going to be in for a wet one , but fortunately the weather played along again , and we had a fabulous day out in the mountains ,” said race organiser , Mike de Haast from Pure Adventures . “ To see such a high level of running out on the course was exhilarating , and we have incredible talent within our trail runners in South Africa !”
2021 K-Way SkyRun Results
100km Men 1 Simon Tshabalala 12:09:38
65km Men
1 Mojongile Tonic Masilo 8:09:33
38km Men 1 Delphinus Sauer 5:04:01
Images : Fahwaaz Cornelius & Rory Scheffer & courtesy Dave McCullough & Skyrun
2 |
Grobler Basson |
12:58:44 |
2 |
Erhard Sauer |
8:18:16 |
2 |
Mawethu Chale |
5:15:45 |
3 |
Christiaan Greyling |
12:58:44 |
3 |
AJ Calitz |
8:38:23 |
3 |
Werner du Preez |
5:43:27 |
100km Women 65km Women
38km Women
1 |
Tarrin van Niekerk |
16:30:56 |
1 |
Landie Greyling |
9:41:51 |
1 |
Carla Beyers |
6:30:25 |
2 |
Jessica Barrow |
17:13:26 |
2 |
Kristen Heath |
9:53:04 |
2 |
Jolene Wium |
6:43:05 |
3 |
Jade Pickard |
18:58:40 |
3 |
Natalie van Reenen |
9:57:46 |
3 |
Elke Harms |
6:49:53 |
Men ’ s and women ’ s 100km podiums |
Men ’ s and women ’ s 65km podiums |
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