TRAIL RUNNING
The welcome sight of the finish at Wartrail Country Club
The author relaxes , finisher ’ s medal proudly around the neck !
Final Energy Boost
From the Hut it ’ s a few challenging kilometres to the final peak called Halstone ( CP9 ). In my 2018 run , I thankfully came off Halstone in the light of day , and knowing the death-defying descent that lay ahead in the dark , I made sure I tucked into my backpack for that strategic Red Bull I had been saving . I smashed this before heading down and onwards to the finish , and the drink helped focus my attention as I came off Halstone like a rock rabbit , gaining about 12 positions in the process .
All that lay ahead now was a fairly easy jog down the sandstone hill , on aching feet , into Wartail Country
Club . I hooked up with Fouche as we helped each other cross the river before entering the finisher ’ s lane together , at 3:16am ( racing time 23:16 ), running into the welcome arms of our friends and family . I was a SkyRunner , again .
As with most trail runs , the SkyRun is less about the medal and the time you do , and more about the journey that leads to the start . It ’ s about the challenge of pushing your body and mind to places they have never been . It ’ s a life-changing experience that is all about creating a balance , escaping the madness of the current world , getting in touch with nature , meeting new friends and ultimately about living !
About the Author
Dave McCullough is a chartered accountant by training , but recently decided to follow his passion for health and wellness by becoming a wellness facilitator . He is an avid runner , having started on the road and completing the Comrades Marathon four times , but now focuses on trail ultras . He has run the Uitsig Marathon five times , completed the Ultra-Trail Drakensberg , and recently finished his second SkyRun . In 2022 , he plans to tackle his first 100 Miler , but still has to choose between the Addo , Karkloof or Mac Mac events , and his 50th birthday present to himself will be a trip to Chile to run the Ultra Paine in Patagonia . You can follow him on Strava or LinkedIn .
Images : Llewellyn Lloyd / REBLEX & courtesy Dave McCullough & Skyrun
Grab Your SkyRun 2022 Entry ! The 2022 edition of the K-Way SkyRun will take place on Saturday 19 November . Entries opened on Wednesday 1 December , and at the time of writing they were selling fast , with less than 50 slots left for the 100km , while there were 50 and 77 left for the 65km and 38km races respectively . Entries for all three races are limited and highly south after , so to secure your entry for 2022 , go to www . skyrun . co . za as soon as you can .
54 ISSUE 147 DECEMBER 2021 | www . modernathlete . co . za