Why I Will Never Run UTCT 35km Trail Run Again...
Part 1
Never Again
I have never said after a race. Ok. Maybe I did once after the Winelands Marathon on a particularly hot day in Stellenbosch, especially on that 4km of gravel road at the 32km mark. WHY do race organisers do this to us?
But I digress. This year The Winelands marathon and half marathon coincided with the UTCT (Ultra-Trail Cape Town) weekend. Three days of trail running in the iconic Table Mountain Nature Reserve.
Ultra Trail Cape Town
The race started in 2014 with 65km and 100km distances but has become so popular in just 8 years, they added a 21km ‘explorer’ (baby race) in 2021.
In 2022 there are 5 distances: 23km, 35km, 55km, 100km and 100-miler (166km). 2022 launched a successful 100-miler with 150 entrants!
The 166 km runners set off at 5pm Friday 25 November with a 45-hour cut-off at 12pm Sunday 27 November. That is a LOT of running. Right?
The Reluctant Trail Runner
I only came to trail running in the last 15 months when my friend AKA ‘Esteemed Leader’ convinced me during 4 (entire) days of road tripping on our way to and from Kei Mouth for The Strandloper Trail in July 2021, that I should enter African X, a 3-day 2-person-team trail-running event at the Houwhoek Hotel in Grabouw.
What decided it for me, was when he said, they feed you. A lot! (They do!)
To his credit, I must thank Esteemed leader for nagging (yes, that is exactly the right word) me to enter this race. African X was by leaps the highlight of my 2022, and I’ve had many highlights this year.
I’d been reluctant to run trail. First, I’m a klutz. Second, I’m a klutz. If I trip when hiking with a trekking pole, imagine me running on uneven terrain, in the wilderness. It could only mean plenty of embarrassingly undignified moments in my future.
Trail running remains one of the fastest growing sports in South Africa. And why not? We are blessed with some of the most amazing trails in the world.
Cape Town alone has an embarrassment of riches in the Table Mountain National Park.
Add to that the influencer effect of local trail running elites, Ryan Sandes, legend Ashraf Orrie (who has been instrumental in making the sport accessible to people who may otherwise not have considered trail running) and local darling, Kerry-Ann Marshall (2017 Comrades Marathon gold medallist) who took 2nd place in the 100-miler over the weekend.
So, of course, trail running would take off like a baboon who just stole your Basmati rice on the Fish River Canyon. (Another story!)
Hiking v Trail Running
Theoretically trail running combined the two activities I loved the most, running and hiking.
The difference between the two is mindset. And small changes in kit. Swapping boots for trail shoes and a backpack for a hydration pack.
All trails can be hiked. Not all hikes can be run.
The UTCT 35km course, for example, is easier to hike than to run, for an individual like me. For the brave and the elites, its easily runnable.
I am too aware of potential trip hazards to go careening down the hills. (Looking at you Nursery Ravine)
Running Nowhere?
In August 2021, Esteemed Leader suggested Chucky and I enter ‘Run2Nowhere’ a 2-day trail run in McGregor as a prelude-cum-trial-run for African X.
Run2Nowhere was in September 2021 and African X was scheduled for March 2022.
We went for it, opting for the 10km distance on both days.
At race registration we went through the covid protocols. (Covid… seems like a lifetime ago, except for the loved ones we lost).
On the drive to McGregor I suggested we upgrade to the 20km distance.
I reasoned, since we (Chucky and I) had entered the 2021 Sanlam Cape Town marathon, the first official race since the pandemic, it was wiser to run 2 x 20 km runs over the weekend.
Before I even bought trail shoes, we went for a trot in Cecilia Forest wearing road shoes where I promptly stepped on a rock and rolled my ankle.
Was it an omen? Was I not cut out for trail running?
But African X had cost two arms and a knee. I had to run it.
White Socks
Entering Run2Nowhere changed my life, my perspective, and my views on trail-running.
The gees was electric. The goody bag was fantastic. (It’s all about the swag!) Even Mambi was happy, and the water tables were loaded with drinks, water, and treats.
The race village was on the grounds of a local church and was proper festive. Everything was so well-organised.
The trails were gorgeous, and the running came easily and effortlessly. To my surprise, trail was so much easier on the joints and there was no shame in walking the hills.
In fact, you were considered weird if you didn’t walk the hills. I loved it.
Part of me entered Run2Nowhere because I missed races. It was our first real race since The Westcoast marathon in March 2020, just before South Africa went into hard lockdown. I am not counting the virtual races we ran in 2020.
I loved the camaraderie and intimacy of trail runs. Smaller fields, less crowded pens, and more time to engage with other runners. It felt like family. I met so many new people and reconnected with runners I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic.
On day 1 the course had us wade ankle-deep through mud. I was wearing new white socks. Till that day, I never noticed trail runners never wore white socks.
Now I understood.
Anita McCullum, dubbed me ‘white socks’.
I guess that’s my trail running name now.
A Gateway Drug
The best part was we were away from the city.
We were outside.
We were on holiday and had nothing to do but run and have fun.
Run2Nowhere was a watershed moment for me. The event combined all the things I loved: running, mountains & a weekend away. Like an overnight hike, but in running shoes with a much lighter pack!
And the trail running community was phenomenal. We felt welcomed. Everyone was super friendly and kind.
Some familiar faces we knew from road races. There was a big contingent from AAC who did the 10km distance. Ashraf & Roldah Orrie showed up with their Strong2Run crew.
Little bit like a family reunion in the middle of a pandemic.
Esteemed Leader and his Lieutenant treated us to a braai at their digs on Saturday night. It was as close to perfect as a weekend could get.
How had I even deprived myself of this pleasure for so long? But no time for regrets.
I. Was. Hooked.
Trail running is a gateway drug.
Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
A gateway to the most fun you can have sweating with your clothes on.
After Run2Nowhere 2021, bug-bitten, we were impatient to enter more trail races.
End of Part 1
Click here to go to Part II
Pingback: NEVER AGAIN - She hikes... A lot!
Pingback: Newlands Forest - She hikes... A lot!