In fact , in spite of COVID , this year was filled with new experiences , fun activities and memorable trail experiences for me . For those perhaps only starting to read Modern Athlete and my column , allow me to recap the year for you , and some of the takeaways that stood out for me .

Images : Courtesy Rhino Peak Cahllenge , Adventure Run & Carla Farina

Highly Recommended

The first thing to remember is that trail running is for everyone – no matter your age , fitness level or location , there will be something out there for you . So , for my fellow Gautengers , please do yourself a favour this December and go try out my good friend Shane Gouldie ’ s races ( www . adventurerun . co . za ). My local go-to for his races is the Big Red Barn , where I am more often than not accompanied by Comet , my hooligan German Shorthaired Pointer . With these races , you are bound to experience great trails and lovely scenery , and most of all Shane ’ s amazing hospitality , plus he is hilarious !

If you would like an ultra-running experience that is also suited to all fitness levels , then also keep a lookout for Delta Backyard Ultras organised by Martin Crous ( http :// deltabu . co . za ), which are social , fun , tough enough for the hardcore runners , yet relaxed enough for the everyday runner . Also , the Karkloof Trail Series ( www . karklooftrailseries . com ) offers some spectacular trail running , and the fact that it ’ s a series is even more enticing . This year I had a blast at their version of the Backyard Ultra , and also had my first heartbreaking experience of having to cut someone off when volunteering at the Karkloof 100 Miler .

Highlighted Highlights

Some of the other highlights of the year included the Pondo Ultra ( http :// wildchildafrica . com / the-pondotrail-run ), where running partner Su-yen Thornhill and I managed to claim the first women ’ s team prize , and that was especially cool , given that we ‘ rose like a phoenix from the ashes ’ after our previous attempt at that race ! ( If you don ’ t know that story , of needing to be rescued mid-race , click here .) I highly recommend you all give the Pondo a try , but if you ’ re not into running ultra distances , you can do the stage race , breaking it into more manageable sections . Either way , it ’ s an event not to be missed , as it is in the most spectacular part of the world ( not just the country ), the Wild Coast , and it is also hosted by a party man of note , Matt Botha , so the party after the race is unrivalled !

Another major highlight for me was the unbelievable , once-in-a-lifetime experience I enjoyed running with Henry Cock , who spent 133 days running around the coast of the country , doing 21km every day , not only to set a new Guinness World Record , but more importantly , to raise funds and awareness for mental health . I ran seven consecutive half marathons with him , and to be a

part of something so incredible was something I will never forget , even more so because I joined him for his Eastern Cape leg – and if you have read my previous columns , you ’ ll know how much I love the Eastern Cape . It was so cool running in the most beautiful locations for such an amazing cause , and I even managed it all on a broken toe … so there is the misadventure for you in this column .

Finally , please , do yourselves a favour in 2022 and sign up for one of Hanno Langenhoven ’ s bespoke trail runs ( more info at www . facebook . com / hanno . langenhoven ). These experiences are just magical , and a fun , unique way to explore our amazing parks , bush and wildlife . These runs are an experience that you cannot get anywhere else in the world , and are doable by the whole family .

Making Big Plans

I have to say , 2021 didn ’ t have nearly the number of misadventures I ’ d hoped for , but there were nonetheless some amazing adventures . Now I am so excited to see what 2022 holds , and I have some exciting things in the pipeline that are bound to lead to more hilarious misadventures – and I can ’ t wait to share them with you !