Which brings me to the tumbles, six of them. Six times I hit the dirt. At one point, I was convinced Peter- Steph du Toit himself had blindsided me. Wind gone, pride in tatters and unfortunately, nobody to capture my expert tuck and roll, but I kept mooving, somehow. And then, salvation, in the form of beautiful mountain springs. I don’ t know who blessed this region with such pristine, ice-cold water, but that moment sipping from the stream saved me! Refreshing. Magical. Necessary.
Meanwhile, in the more sane world of reasonable distances, Isabel was on her own trail-blazing adventure. It was her very first trail run, and she chose the 20km Stage Race, which she tackled like a seasoned mountain goat. No falls, no voices arguing in her head. Just pure joy, new friendships, and belly laughs for two straight days.
She met legends like Hannelie and Tuelo, and they managed to come up with a new global movement and a dating app concept. I can’ t reveal too much( lips sealed tighter than a Buff on race morning), but let’ s just say“ Snakes on a Plane” was a key theme in those conversations. Trail running does weird things to the brain.
Day 2 offered a complete gear shift. Gone were the tangled vines and endless ascents. Instead, entrants were treated to the bushveld of the Kruger Biosphere; dry, open, and teeming with animal calls. It felt like running through a National Geographic special, except with lactic acid and dodgy toenails.
I wasn’ t able to start day two, as my 9-hour ordeal from day 1 had taken its toll, and I felt like a punch-drunk man who had gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson. From what I was told by my fellow entrants, the 28km route was no walk in the park, more like a slog across the savanna, but the change in scenery was as rejuvenating as an ice bath for the soul.
Because this isn’ t just a race. It’ s a community celebration. The heart and soul of this challenge come from the people of Kampersrus and Hoedspruit. From the hospitality of the Laerskool Mariepskop, to the volunteers helping at he aid stations, to the Search and Rescue South Africa( SARZA) team – everyone played their part. You could feel the unity, the pride, the shared ownership of something special. Kudos to Andrew and Lauren Booth and their sensational team. What they’ ve created here isn’ t just an event – it’ s an experience, a memory factory, a bootcamp for the body and balm for the spirit. The finishers ' medal is a handcrafted leather key ring that’ s made by some local ladies, and the message from her to Andrew embodies what the event stands for:“ Hello Mr Andrew, I have just received the payment for the key rings, thank you, this will help to feed our village”
So, will I be back? Absolutely. And next time, I’ m making sure that the ultra distance is completed. Perhaps with shin pads and a fall counter strapped to my back. And Isabel? She’ s already plotting her move up to the 18km- the bug has bitten.
See you next year on the trails. I’ ll be the guy in the COW suit, arguing with himself and dodging imaginary Springboks. Until then – moooove more, laugh louder, fall better.
THE ULTIMATE LOWVELD EXPERIENCE Based at Laerskool Mariepskop in the tiny mountain town of Kampersrus, this extraordinary school transforms into a vibrant village celebrating trail running culture, conservation awareness and community spirit. The weekend ' s carefully orchestrated schedule balances serious athletic competition with educational experiences, family entertainment and opportunities for deep connection with one of South Africa ' s most treasured landscapes.
THE REAL PRIZE Co-founder Lauren Booth captures it perfectly: " Community, conservation and conscious living." Whether you ' re an elite athlete chasing records on the brutal 70km course, a family seeking adventure on the accessible 20km option, or a spectator supporting loved ones while exploring regional wonders, K2C delivers transformation with authentic African adventure. This race transforms you. Elite athletes discover new limits, families find shared adventure, and spectators become converts to the magic of purposeful endurance sport.
INFO:
WWW. KRUGER2CANYONCHALLENGE. CO. ZA
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