Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 94, May 2017 | Page 17

Hitting the Trails
while on his way to training, Anele was attacked
by seven men who stole his shoes and watch.
“Fortunately he got his gear back eventually,
as it was his only training gear, but first he had
to pay off one of the assailants to disclose who
they sold the gear to! We were just thankful
that he walked away unscathed, but needless to
say, we knew that our dream of racing AfricanX
and pushing for the podium would not come
to fruition this year, given his injury and lack of
consistent training, and our new goal was just to
finish each stage.”
So the two friends headed to Houw Hoek on
the Thursday afternoon to register, ahead of the
Friday first stage, only to find another surprise
waiting for them. “When we arrived at race
pack collection, we were told there was a fully
furnished Big Box container with our names on
it. So instead of sleeping in tents like the rest
of the entrants, we lived in luxury for the whole
event,” says Francois.
In spite of Anele’s injured leg, the pair started
each day with a will to do the best they could,
and they still managed a very decent placing
of 12th pairing in the men’s race on the 37km
first stage, 12th again on day two (33km) and
14th on the final day, over 23km, giving them
an overall finishing position of 10th in the men’s
category. Running in their colourful Big Box team
colours, the pair really stood out from the crowd
as they powered their way along the trails, still
managing to smile when a camera was pointed
at them.
According to Anele, it is the challenge that
attracts him to trail running, and he says
running the AfricanX was a dream come true. “I
really enjoyed the AfricanX Trailrun, especially
because Francois and I run really well together.
Unfortunately this year we couldn’t go as fast
as we wanted to due to my injury, but next year
we will not hold back. Also, sleeping in the Big
Box container was very special. We were really
fortunate to be treated to such luxury. And I am
really grateful for the Sanet Wentzel Award that
I won during the Stage Two prize-giving. It has
motivated me to train harder and really give my
all at the 2018 AfricanX Trailrun.”
Francois echoes his teammate’s sentiments,
saying, “Our AfricanX experience generated
mixed emotions. Not being able to compete on
our usual level due to my partner’s injury meant
that we had to postpone any ambitions for a
podium finish, but we were still exposed to a
realm of support and sportsmanship like never
before. The support received from Big Box and
the Stillwater Events organisers surpassed our
highest expectations.”
The great news for Anele and Francois is that
Big Box has extended a free entry to them
for the 2018 race, and Big Box has already
committed to once again sponsor their container
accommodation. “The teaming up of Francois
and Anele is really special, because it’s a
partnership that is built on a friendship between
two individuals who have totally different
backgrounds, but share the same passion for
running. We will continue to ‘run this road’ with
this very special team and have already offered
them a Big Box entry into the 2018 Cell C
AfricanX Trailrun.”
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