SA race to France with the world singing their praises

A COMPETITIVE South African team will be in action tomorrow in France’s oldest ultra- trail race, the Grand Trail des Templiers, while Cape Town is set to benefit through the inclusion of Ultra Trail Cape Town 100km on the Ultra Trail World Tour circuit next year.

A decision is expected soon regarding the inclusion of the Mother City on next year’s tour, which would which would guarantee significant numbers of international visitors to Cape Town next October.

Considered to be the biggest trail running festival in France, with 14 races over three days and more than 8000 runners taking part, the Templiers organisers have invited men’s and women’s teams from France, USA, the “rest of the world”, Japan and South Africa to compete over a testing 75km course with an elevation gain of 3000m.

South Africa’s highest profile trail athlete Landie Greyling leads the women’s squad which includes Gauteng’s Nicolette Griffioen and Nicky Booyens and KZN pair Sue Don-Wauchope and Tracy Zunckel.

“We look forward to testing ourselves against other trail running nations and are committed to showing the world that South Africa is a force to be reckoned with,” team manager Altus Schreuder said.

As world- class interna- tional athletes participated in events such as the Otter Trail (which took place last week) and Ultra Trail Cape Town ( run two weeks back), so recognition has spread and, in the words of an American trail-running website, “South Africa is rapidly becoming a hotbed of trail running”.

“What a race,” said Swiss star Marc Lauenstein after becoming the first athlete to break through the Otter African Trail Run four-hour barrier in sealing a memorable victory last Saturday. “What an experience – I certainly plan to be back.”

Spanish ultra- distance champion Emma Roca was equally impressed with the Otter. “It was a really tough race,” said Roca after her hard-fought win. “I wish I could have been able to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounds but Nicolette (Griffioen) was pushing me the whole way.”

Similarly, foreign visitors were effusive in the praise for the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100km, despite the weather. “I came to Cape Town to experience the trails,” said Comrades and Two Oceans gold medallist, American Devon Yanko, who placed third in the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100km.

“The ultra community here has embraced me and the trails have inspired and challenged me. Cape Town is a special place. And this race is truly special. How lucky I have been to experience this.”