Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 66, January 2015 | Page 40

OBSTACLE RACING

shooting Star

When Hanneké Dannhauser entered her first obstacle course race last
March, she put herself on a startlingly fast track to the World Champs of
obstacle racing just seven months later, despite breaking her ankle along
the way. No wonder she’s earned the nickname GI Jane!
– BY SEAN FALCONER

aving heard about the Jeep Warrior Series in
February 2014, Hanneké just knew that obstacle
course racing was meant for her. The 26-year-old
from Bloemfontein was working part-time as a
personal trainer and had spent a lot of time in the
gym herself, and the challenge appealed to her –
but not some entry-level starter course… No, she
entered the Black Ops elite race at Warrior #2 in
Midrand on 2 March! “I come from the farm, so I
went straight for the hardest option,” she says with
a little giggle – and she proceeded to finish third
in the women’s field, but realised where she could
improve in order to be more competitive.
“In Februar HH