Nicolette Griffioen was the first woman to cross the 100-mile finish line in fourth place overall , clocking a time of 26:11:08 . Naomi Brand came into the finish late on the Saturday night , after a gruelling 29:47:09 on the trails , while Jo Keppler made it an all-South African podium when she took third in 31:59:37 . Cornelia Oswald from Austria had featured upfront early in the race , but withdrew at Noordhoek ( 119.6 km ).

TRAIL

Having withdrawn late in the race last year , Griffioen says this was a very pleasing result . “ I have had a couple of bad runs lately , so it was really great running at my full capacity , and not having issues like nutrition or cramping . I came into the race with the mentality of hiking rather than racing , so I took the descents easy , kept the intensity low , ate real food and hydrated properly . I was behind Naomi for quite a while , but passed her during the night in Silvermine , around 67km , and did not see her again . I really enjoyed the night running section – it is nice just to run by yourself and hear the calls out there . And then you are back into civilisation on suburban trails , which keeps you occupied and takes your mind off things , so it was a good experience .”

Brand described her race as gruelling , because she says she was not in top shape for the challenge . “ I

didn ’ t really train for this , as I got married just two weeks ago , so I went into this undercooked . I was okay the first 80 kilometres , and then had to hang in for another 80 kilometres , which is a long way ! And this is not the 100-miler to do that with , because it is so hard . Today was a very long day !”

Keppler adds that this was probably the most difficult 100-miler she has ever done : “ I had to dig seriously

Nicolette Griffioen

deep after the Noordhoek aid station . When I thought I had nothing in the tank , seeing my husband Dave and son Leo in the aid stations certainly gave me strength . The route is spectacular but relentless , technical and with one big climb after another . I have the utmost respect for anyone who has completed the UTCT 100 Miler , and can ’ t get my head around the times that some of the frontrunners come in .”

Naomi Brand

UTCT 100 Miler Women

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