TRAIL RACING » UTCT
finding soul purpose
100km Ultra / 4 560m D + By Jeren Seegers
S
unset on top of Franschhoek Pass with a glass of cab sav provided the perfect moment for post-race reflection . My UTCT medal symbolises far more than just a run around the fairest Cape . It was a journey . No sponsors . No pressure . No one to answer to . No Green , Yellow or Red squares of Training Peaks . After a year that has honestly been life changing .
2021 started off so much worse than 2020 – I was loaded with far more questions than answers , dislikes and elements of hatred . It was eating at my soul . Ironically 2021 has turned into one of the most incredible years of my life . I have met the most amazing humans and celebrated with so many more . Got up and got on with it . Stayed the extra night . Had one more . Cried . Danced . From Balule Game Reserve to Paarl . PE to Parys . Richmond Hill mornings to long , slow Jozi green-belt shuffles . Tyrone Harriers journeys through Joburg and solstice celebrations . Northern Drakensberg to Cullinan and Dullstroom . Magaliesburg to Mweni . Winterton to Westcliff stair repeats . Franschhoek to Old Parks TTs . Pilanesburg to Modderfontein Ultras and Wanderers weekend looseners . Underberg , Emmarentia and Cape Town . And the year is net yet over .
The decision to enter UTCT came while I was running the Northern Drakensberg Trail , after a couple of brandy and cokes if my memory serves me . I needed a challenge , one that would stretch me . UTCT had been on my radar for years , so on 31 March I entered . No turning back . My folks didn ’ t think I was serious until October
when I booked flights to Cape Town .
UTCT incorporates everything an adventure can offer . The most spectacular views . Proper vert . Technical descents . Fast running . Power hikes , chain ladders , beaches with naked tanning – as well as all four seasons in a day . The bottom line is don ’ t come unprepared . When they say here are the essentials , you pack those essentials . Don ’ t get clever or complain . They are not there to make your life difficult and your pack heavy . They ’ re there to save your life .
Coming from Johannesburg , you will always be at a disadvantage . We are required to travel to find the elements . If there is a climb , there is no technical descent . Westcliff stairs are great but not vertical enough . We do have the altitude , attitude and fine weather . The running circles are happy to share information and assist . My fellow Western Cape participants , however , have all the technical training on their doorstep .
As a triathlete and IRONMAN age-
Daniel Claassen ( above ) was fifth and the first South African home . American Jim Walmsley ( right ) won the race , setting a new course record of 9:47:20 .
PHOTOGRAPHS ZAC ZINN , SAM CLARK , EMMA GATLAND
30 | RUN FOR YOUR LIFE