THE RUNNING
MANN the running mann by STUART MANN
In Search of Fantastic Beasts
From time to time I get to run something really unique as I travel all over South Africa to get my marathoning fix , like the recent Timbavati Traverse , which I think may well be the best single-day running experience in Africa .
Back in the BC ( before children ) days of disposable income , I was fortunate enough to stay at some of the luxury lodges in the greater Kruger National Park area , which included a couple of trips to the Timbavati . In addition to the morning and evening game drives , the lodges offer post-breakfast bush walks . I would always enquire ( much to my wife ’ s embarrassment ) about the possibility of a post-breakfast run instead of the more sedate walking option . Of course , lodge staff are trained in exceptional customer service and are used to dealing with stupid questions from demanding guests . However , my question always broke through the poker-faced veneer of the luxury hospitality industry and produced a look of extreme incredulity , before composure was regained and a polite , “ No chance of that I ’ m afraid ” was offered .
Running in a game reserve is exhilarating and , despite the reluctance of fancy lodges to accommodate my compulsions , I would take the opportunities where I could . There are several ‘ running with the wildlife ’ events in South Africa , including two exceptional marathons ( Marakele and Big 5 ) but sightings of wildlife on these runs are sporadic – and the organisers deliberately keep you away from animals that are big and grey , bad-tempered , spotted or maned . However , like the exclusive game lodges spread out across the Timbavati Private Game Reserve , the Timbavati Traverse is an event that offers a personalised experience you won ’ t get anywhere else in the world – and the route is designed to maximise the possibilities of seeing Africa ’ s fiercest and finest beasts .
An experience you won ’ t get anywhere else in the world !
Done the Training …
There have been a few silver linings to emerge from the COVID pandemic , and one of them is the Timbavati Traverse . The event was conceived by Grant Murphy , head guide at King ’ s Camp , who didn ’ t want all the training he ’ d done for his 16th consecutive Comrades Marathon in 2020 to go to waste . It ’ s normally hard work getting the mileage in for Comrades , but even harder when you make your living as a game ranger .
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