TRAIL
The Track Namibia is no ordinary race . Spanning nine stages over 10 days , it pushes participants to their physical and mental limits . The race takes place in southern Namibia , between the Swakop River in the Erongo region and the Sossusvlei dunes . First up is the Valley of the Moon , with its unusual canyons giving it the appearance of a lunar surface . The route then continues through Namib-Naukluft Park , and after crossing the Tropic of Capricorn between the Gaub and Kuiseb Passes , runners continue south towards the small town of Solitaire in central Namibia . The last part of the race takes runners to Sesriem and the Sossusvlei dunes .
Much-needed refuelling in the extreme conditions
Powering through extreme conditions in the Namibian desert
Then there is the excruciating heat of the desert , often reaching well into the 40s , plus athletes need to carry a backpack with all their food and supplies , but Nontu Mgabhi took all of this in her stride as she powered to the finish of this gruelling challenge . Despite the extreme conditions , she remained motivated by a profound sense of a greater purpose . “ Running for a good cause has given my adventures greater meaning over the years , and my initiative , Go Beyond for a Child , drives me to turn pain into a creative offering . I remind myself that I am privileged to do this . Running is not a punishment , it is a gift ,” she says .
For the Cause
This is not the first time Mgabhi has completed a mammoth challenge of this kind to improve the lives of rural children in KwaZulu-Natal . The Richards Bay runner has tackled seven marathons in seven days on seven continents , and more recently finished the 160km Ultra-Asia race in Vietnam , and by asking for donations in support of her running , she has already raised over R3 million to tackle the struggles of many KZN children who face barriers to education due to the lack of basic necessities .
“ Through long-distance running , we have built classrooms , school toilets , administration buildings , renovated schools , donated school uniforms , books and food parcels . All of this through living my life aligned with my values of health , service and impact . I am humbled by the support from generous donors and sponsors who support my causes and whose values align with mine .”
Through her latest expedition in Namibia , Mgabhi has raised enough money to provide schoolchildren from
Nontu ’ s running is all done to benefit schoolkids in her home province
Somotha , Sekusile , Khiphinkunzi and KwaMboma Primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal with 600 pairs of school shoes . “ I feel blessed that what I love to do has a positive social impact ,” she says . “ Many children in deep rural areas and townships walk a long distance to school , yet they cannot afford shoes that can take on those miles . In many households , school shoes compete with bread and butter . The need is real .”
Biggest Challenge
Still , The Track Namibia was one of the toughest tests yet of Mgabhi ’ s resolve . “ The distance and the challenge were a step up for me , as my longest stage race prior to The Track was seven days . To progress to nine stages , and 10 days of competition , I knew it would challenge me both mentally and physically , but I was excited to test my limits . Also , the Valley of the Moon and its multiple canyons had been on my to-do list for a while .
Mgabhi adds that the toughest part of the race was having to carry a 13kg backpack with all the food and supplies needed for surviving in the desert . “ The temperatures were also a challenge , as on some of the days , the temperatures went up to 46 degrees . After Day five , my mind and body began sending me signals that we were now pushing new limits , but at some point , you have to create a distance between your spirit and body , because you are not your body . It was common to have more than one emotion coexisting – to be happy and sad , experience pleasure and pain , laugh and cry , be inspired and uninspired .”
Mgabhi says that focusing on the moment was key to her reaching the finish . “ You do not finish a race of this scale if you are obsessed with the finish line . You must just focus on where you are now . Thinking too much about the entire race or distance will overwhelm you . As per the words of Thabo Mbeki , ‘ Those who complete the course will do so only because they do not , as fatigue sets in , convince themselves that the road ahead is still too long , the inclines too steep , the loneliness impossible to bear and the prize itself of doubtful value .’ That ’ s what I kept telling myself .”
Images : Courtesy Nontuthuko Mgabhi
Taking a ( Short ) Break
With the Namibian challenge behind her , Mgabhi plans to enjoy some rest and recovery , and says that for the foreseeable future , the furthest she ’ ll venture out is to walk her dog , Hope . However , she already has her eye on summiting Mt Meru in Tanzania later in the year , so the well-earned rest period will only be a temporary interlude . “ I believe in giving back , and I am grateful that I am able to give back through my passion for running , travel and nature .
If you would like to make a contribution to Nontu ’ s Mgabhi ’ s efforts to raise funds for school shoes , you can contact her at nontu . mgabhi @ icloud . com .
49