Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 158 May 2023 | Page 45

trail ( mis ) adventures by CARLA LEA FARINA

TRAIL

( MIS ) ADVENTURES

trail ( mis ) adventures by CARLA LEA FARINA

Sweep if You Can ’ t Run

The Magoebaskloof Ultra is super technical , tough 50km trail race , and one of the most beautiful runs I have done to date , which I got to experience in a different way to my usual trail adventures .
Images : Courtesy Carla Farina

As usual , I was late to the party when I decided that I wanted to run the Magoebaskloof Ultra , so the organisers ( who are amazing ) suggested that I come and sweep the race instead . I was so excited , as I would still get to do the full race and experience everything it has to offer , but with none of the pressure , and with a co-sweep , so no opportunity to get lost !

I met my new friend , Darryn , the day before the race , and we set off in bright spirits , ready for an epic adventure . However , the illusion of a race without getting lost and no pressure was just that … an illusion . You see , we were having such awesome conversations – Darryn is a sports physiotherapist with a lot of knowledge to share – while enjoying a leisurely strolljog , that we managed to miss one or two turns . You know , is it really a race if we don ’ t get lost ? Secondly , the pressure of getting fellow runners in before cut-offs turned out to be almost as stressful as trying to run for the podium yourself .
Sharing the Bad News
The first 20km was a slow and gruelling slog up the mountains to the most incredible views , making the climbing so worth it , and we led most of the runners into each checkpoint well before the cut-off . However , around the 20km mark , we were a bit surprised when we saw a runner running towards us . He was travelling at lightning pace and we realised he was the leading male on the 30km route , as he had passed us earlier , about 20 minutes in front of the second runner .
When he got to us , he explained that he had missed a turn and he was heading back to the split so he could carry on . It was then we had to break the bad news that as the sweeps , one of our jobs was to remove the
The Magoebaskloof Ultra is one of the most stunning races in SA
Sweeping with new friend , Darryn
route markers , and he didn ’ t have a GPS watch , so couldn ’ t use his watch to back-track . Being a good sport , he sighed and said he would join us for a bit of a walk-jog until he reached a checkpoint where a vehicle could take him back , as he couldn ’ t take too long due to his ride leaving .
A few kays from there we caught up to the rearmost lady , who we had been playing ‘ yo-yo ’ with since the first water table . We had decided we would have to make the hard decision to cut her off , as she was cramping to the point of not being able to walk , and there was a mammoth climb approaching . When we reached her at a river-crossing , she was lying on the ground in pain , and told us she couldn ’ t continue . I gave her one my anti-cramp gels , and then I led her back across the river , which was flowing fast . She was unable to cross on her own , as it was a strong current , but we got her to safety and into a car , and she was grateful to get off cramping legs . She was a true champion , and told us she is determined to conquer the race next year !
Pushing for the Line
The rest of the race went well and there were no more casualties , but removing all the markings became challenging : With a super well-marked course and not much backpack space , we looked like packhorses that had just run away from home ! Even being somewhat unbalanced , we eventually caught up to the lady who was now at the back , and we knew we were cutting it very fine . We told her that no matter what , we would get her in before cut-off , but then she needed to run when we asked her to .
We realised ( but didn ’ t tell her ) that it was going to be touch and go , but we continued to encourage her , and we got her home in 12 hours and three seconds , at 5:30:03 pm … which was three seconds after cut-off . We were heartbroken for her , but then the timing guys pointed out that the race had started five minutes late , so she was actually in well before cut-off . There were hugs all round , and I even cried happy tears for her .
My takeaway from this is that volunteering to sweep a trail race once in a while is a wonderful way to give back to a sport that offers us so much , and it ’ s wonderful to be able to be a part of the journey of those who are not the front-runners , but who inspire us just as much as the top athletes . Give it a try .
Coming away from the sweeping experience with priceless memories
About the Author
While Carla ’ s ‘ day job ’ is Head Tennis Coach and Director of Tennis at Game Set Match Tennis in Johannesburg , her second love is trail running , which she tackles with an unquenchable thirst for adventure , a never-say-die attitude , and a healthy sense of humour about all the misadventures that befall her on the trails !
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