Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 77, December 2015 | Page 12

DISCOVERY
SURFER’S CHALLENGE:
AN EASTERN CAPE LOVE AFFAIR

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” – Author Unknown

T

here is a preconception that if you are adequately prepared for
an ultra-distance triathlon, you can enter any other endurance
race and feel prepared. Let me be candidly honest, I thought
that was the case until the famous East London Discovery Surfers
Challenged rolled around.
Feeling invincible, having completed Ironman 70.3 East London
at the end of January, I threw caution to the wind and entered the
17.5km trail run from the beach of Kwelera to Nahoon, hosted on 14
February 2015. At 2pm on Valentine’s Day, 3800 fellow competitors
stood on the banks of the untouched coastline and looked on toward
the ocean’s offering. That sunny morning was the first time I had
pulled out my Salomon trail running shoes from the depths of my
cupboard in about six months.
The gun sounded and the masses of runners, walkers and paddlers
were let loose from the peaceful shore start line, and I realised that I
was about to embark on a gruelling run that would not only test my
adaptation to different terrains, but also my mental strength. Yet, as I
looked through my sweat-drenched eyelashes at the 17.5 kilometres
of windswept beach sand and untamed river mouths (knowing I had
to somehow cross them), an overwhelming feeling of a deep love for
Africa slapped me in the face.

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ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2015 / www.modernathlete.co.za

As I struggled over wobbly boulders and trudged through the wet sand,
I began to feel as if I was one with the earth and she was one with me.
The 41st Discovery Surfer’s Challenge was one of the toughest runs I
have encountered ‒ the wind made it difficult to put one foot in front of
the other, and the river mouths were not friendly when crossing ‒ but I
fell in love with the route and the people, and with my country.
As triathletes, cyclists and runners, we are often reluctant to take a
risk and take part in a race that doesn’t enhance our seeding time
or doesn’t provide merchandise that provides us with a symbol of
how hardcore we are. However, I appeal to you to step far out of
your comfort zone and challenge yourself to this incredible trail
adventure. The Discovery Surfer’s Challenge takes bravery and
boldness to complete, but it also takes an incredible appreciation for
our South African landscape, which becomes an obstacle course on
the run. The challenge forces you to learn what your body can and
cannot do, and forces you to love every muscle that got you over the
rocks or beyond the sand.
Next year on, 13 February, I will be looking at that scorching beach
and the wild river mouths before the 42nd Discovery Surfer’s
Challenge, knowing that my East London love affair is going to be
retold. Will you take up the challenge and join me?