The local farmers kindly provide places of shelter every 70 to 80km , with some food and water , whilst the official race villages are spaced about 200km apart . There ’ s one start and one finish , and whoever gets to Wellington first , wins . The cut-off is at 120 hours , or five days , and you carry all your necessities and clothing with you , on your back or on your bike . |
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I had accomplished a Munga a few years ago , with five odd hours of sleep over four days – in a culvert on the side of a Karoo road , on the steps of the church in Fraserburg , between the desks of a classroom in the Tankwa Karoo . I lost all feeling in three of my toes for months , and parts of my anatomy were rubbed raw , but I loved it . I didn ’ t quit . Others did , but I was proud to have endured . |
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Images : Courtesy Stefano Migliore |
I thought one Munga was enough for me , but pressed and motivated by my son-in-law , Charlie , I succumbed , and so we entered the 2021 edition , eager to share the experience together . We trained , putting in hundreds of hours and thousands of kilometres . We earned our right to show up at the start on 1 December and rub shoulders with fellow competitors as we patiently waited for the midday start .
Bearer of Bad News
With 20 minutes to start time my phone rings . Our friend , who gave us a lift to Bloemfontein the previous day , is not feeling well and has gone for a precautionary COVID test . But all should be well , we are told . At 12 sharp the start gun fires , we set the wheels of our fully loaded bicycles in motion , and the race is on !
We can ’ t hide our smiles , and Charlie ’ s enthusiasm and energetic youth is manifested in a faster pace than is wise in a race like this . But I let him go , thinking that sooner or later he will come to his senses . Instead , I too get caught up in the moment , and I find myself chasing him hard , pushing my limits , knowing there will be a price to pay later . But I don ’ t care … when the time comes , I ’ ll happily pay for the privilege of doing this .
The Karoo seems to start almost immediately as you leave Bloemfontein , and after some 30-odd kilometres , it feels like we ’ re deep into it . Until my
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phone rings again . So does Charlie ’ s . Our friend has tested positive for COVID . We slow down and look at each other with dread in our eyes . Now what ? We spent the entirety of the previous day in the confines of a car together . We phone friends , doctors first , family too . The advice is mixed . Our doctor friends are unequivocal : “ Stop riding immediately , the risks are too great ,” they say . Others say don ’ t quit , go a little further and see how you feel .
Facing a Tough Decision
We stop , we evaluate our situation and potential outcomes . We don ’ t want to quit . We never quit . But we realise this could be a life-changing event , in one way or another … We could accomplish this formidable task together and bask in the glory at the finish line , or we could potentially damage ourselves with a virus that seems intent on targeting hearts and lungs . We know what the wise decision is , and yet we find it so hard to say it , and even harder to do it . Our eyes gloss over , as months of sacrifices in time and cost are about to evaporate . The disappointment is overwhelming .
We look for reasons to push on , to honour our code , albeit a generation apart . We are not quitters . Churchill
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comes to mind again , but instead of his paraphrased and often misquoted “ don ’ t quit ” meme version , this time it is the entire quote : “ Never give in , never give in , never , never , never , never – in nothing , great or small , large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense .”
Charlie and I did quit the Munga . Two days later we both tested positive for COVID .
Never give up on good sense .
About the Author
Stefano ‘ Stef ’ Migliore is a Johannesburg-based family man , an enthusiastic multi-sport athlete , and a passionate outdoorsman and traveller . His running career has seen him tackle the big road ultras , including Comrades and Two Oceans , as well as a number of trail ultras and multi-day stage races . A long-time mountain biker , he has completed many multi-day events , including the notorious Ruta de Los Conquistadores in Costa Rica and ultra-endurance events like 36One and the Munga .
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