EVENTS

Addo Elephant Trail Run

EASTERN CAPE 10-12 March 2017

RIAAN VAN ZYL begins his journey into the Valley of Tears in Addo Elephant National Park, with 50km of the 100 miler (160km) ahead of him. “I wondered about the name Valley of Tears, but three hours later, I understood,” laughs Riaan, who hails from Malmesbury. “My thought at that moment was Eish, this hill is tough, but I am tougher.”

It was his first race at this distance, so his seventh place after 26h19min, out of 30 finishers, is quite remarkable.

“I learned again that if you put your mind to something, anything is possible,” says Riaan. “When you’re out there all alone (and you will be alone for many, many hours) you just stop, look around, and feel so grateful for the ability to do something like this in the vast, beautiful wilderness.”

Along with the 160km, there were 76km and 44km ultras, all run in the 30°C to 50°C heat that hit Addo on 11 March.

The 100 miler had two new records from winners Tom Adams and Naomi Brand. Tom returned to defend his title, shared with Bennie Roux