The Otter African Trail Run is a running paradise
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I ’ m really , really , happy ! But I felt terrible throughout , to be honest . It ’ s a bit of a chicken and an egg situation . I don ’ t know if I felt bad because I was running hard , or bad because I felt bad . I think it was the former , though . I sat with that discomfort , but really pushed , and I fuelled well and maintained good hydration , so I ’ m super happy with how today went … even though I felt terrible .”
Tough Running Conditions
In the men ’ s race , Van Heerden and Reilly were initially on target to achieve the elusive four-hour goal , but they gradually slipped off the required pace as the war of attrition took its toll . The battle between them came down to the final five kilometres . Having run together for the first 37 kilometres , it was only on the approach to the Ngubu Hut that Van Heerden made his move . However , the heat played a big role and slowed him down over the final few kilometres .
“ It ’ s always lekker at Otter , but it was a tough day out there . The conditions were very hot and humid from the start ,” said the now three-time winner . “ It was great running with Kane . He was probably stronger from Muncie Point to Scott , when I was struggling a bit . He was motivating me a bit even , because it ’ s always better running together . Just before Ngubu , on one of the small climbs , I said to Kane , ‘ let ’ s make turns again .’ I wouldn ’ t say I attacked , and I wasn ’ t feeling particularly good , but I think the elastic just snapped and I was able to hang on to the finish .”
Including the men ’ s podium finishers and first two women , there were 11 runners who dipped below the five-hour mark , earning either a black medal ( for sub- 4:30 ) or a purple medal . A further 30 runners notched up a sub-six finish , and 52 more trail runners made it home in under seven hours .
Top 10 Men
2022 Otter African Trail Run Results
Robbie Rorich stops for a cool-down on his way to third position
The Otter African Trail Run
Each year , the Otter African Trail Run hosts two events , graded according to strict cut-off times : The Otter Challenge takes place first , with an 11-hour cut-off , and the Otter Race goes off two days later , with a more competitive nine-hour cut-off . For more information , please visit www . otter . run .
Top 10 Women
Johardt Van Heerden ( 4:05:19 ) 1 Toni McCann ( 4:33:26 )
Kane Reilly ( 4:12:31 ) 2 Bianca Tarboton ( 4:54:15 ) Robbie Rorich ( 4:29:08 ) 3 Marzelle van der Merwe ( 5:18:33 ) Kyle Bucklow ( 4:37:26 ) 4 Nadia Jooste ( 5:30:14 ) Mvuyisi Gcogco ( 443:25 ) 5 Rebecca Pretorius ( 5:41:29 ) Mark Macsyman ( 4:50:46 ) 6 Lijan van Niekerk ( 5:54:48 ) Bradley Claase ( 4:54:04 ) 7 Kerry-Ann Walton ( 6:08:16 ) Petros Chigomararwa ( 4:55:11 ) 8 Sume van Heerden ( 6:21:48 ) Mike van der Merwe ( 4:57:54 ) 9 Georgie Kelly ( 6:34:07 )
Kevin Evans ( 5:01:02 ) 10 Jacqui Ras ( 6:40:38 )
Images : Caleb Bjergfelt , David Sullivan , Deidre Cloete , Johan Minnar
This race offers some of the world ’ s most incredible backdrops
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