TRAIL RUNNING
If You Can ’ t Find Any Shade …
The last finisher on all three stages of the 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN was Ilze Theys Woodward , and in spite of her three long stages , she never lost her smile and good humour . However , what most of her fellow runners didn ’ t see was that when they all went to bed at night , she stayed up late to finish and submit academic assignments , as she is busy with her Masters Degree .
Funnily , on day two – the longest , hardest stage – she decided that she needed a bit more shade out on the trails , so she picked up a fallen tree branch with leaves , and held above her head as she walked on .
On the third and final stage , when she made it back to the finish , the commentary team got all the other runners down to the finish line to welcome her home , and they spontaneously formed a ‘ tunnel of love ’ for her down the home straight . And funnily enough , one of the sweeps accompanying her into the finish was carrying another branch for some ‘ home-made shade !’
“ Goosebumps and emotion , I made it and loved it , and I am an AFRICANX finisher !” says Ilze . “ Thank you to the awesome sweeps , vibe tables and
Ilze Theys Woodward in the ‘ tunnel of love ’ on day three
Sean Falconer for being supportive and believing in my conquering this course , and for celebrating even the not so fast folk , that makes us feel seen . Greatly appreciated by this athlete who was clawing to get to the finish each day , and is now certainly more motivated to keep working hard and getting stronger to finish faster . So blessed , but for now , this one ’ s for all of you that think , it ’ s not for people like you ... It is , just give it a go . You ’ ve got this , let ’ s go !
Elsa Kerschbaumer and Elbie Zwanepoel
Marna Herbst , Petrus Campher and Bronwyn Davis
Aileen Uys and Marzanne Esterhuizen
Good times on the trails with good friends
Xolisa Makubalo and Lee Fuller
Images : Chris Hitchcock & courtesy Ebrahim Jacobs
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