100 MILES OF ENDURANCE RUNNING AT THE Karklo of 100
The 6th edition of the prestigious Karkloof100 took place over on September 24 and 25 in the lush Karkloof Valley, just outside Howick.
With the race based at the Karkloof Country Club, the organising team welcomed some 500 runners plus their supporters to the 100 Miler (160km of non-stop running), the 50 Miler, 30 Miler, 20 Miler as well as 10 and 5 Miler races.
The events showcased a phenomenal display of endurance, with athletes breaking their own boundaries and surpassing what they believed possible in challenging conditions of wind and heat.
The men’s 100 Miler race was a tightly contested affair from the start, with Andrew Erasmus (Salomon SA) hungry for the win after three previous podium finishes.
Admire Muzopambwa, from Pirates Running Club, the two-time winner and defending champ, and Mzwakhe Khanyile, of the Southern Lodestar Foundation, also pushed hard from the start.
Muzopambwa made it clear that this was his goal race for 2022, and the focus paid off - he took the win in 18:12:14, one hour and 18 minutes ahead of second placed Khanyile, and Erasmus in third.
The ladies race came down to the wire. Susan Macphesh and Jennifer Lines, both running their first 100 Miler, tracked each other the whole way, with Howick local, Macphesh finishing just minutes ahead of Lines.
Cornel Metcalfe ran a solid race to finish third in 30:30:14.
Andrew Booth from the Karkloof100 said: “A hundred miles is considered the pinnacle distance in trail running and providing the platform for people to push their mental and physical endurance to the extreme is a privilege.
“From the podium finishers to the final warriors over the line – everyone achieved something great this last weekend.
“The ‘shorter’ distances allow runners to test the waters and develop – we look forward to seeing many of them back next year taking the next step up!”
Results for the 100 Miler were as follows:
Men – 1, Admire Muzopambwa - 18:12:14; 2, Mzwakhe Khanyile - 19:30:03; 3, Andrew Erasmus 20:13:17.
Women – 1, Susan Machpesh - 27:47:25; 2, Jennifer Lines - 27:53:44; 3, Cornel Metcalfe 30:30:14.
Results for 50 Miler were as follows:
Men – 1, Nomore Mandivengerei - 08:19:09; 2, Jeffrey Mashau - 08:41:47; 3, Simphiwe Sithole 08:50:06.
Women – 1, Trish Eksteen 08:43:03; 2, Toni Seery - 10:14:25; 3, Jackie Maritz - 11:03:15.
Full results can be found at www.karkloof100.co.za