2011 Salomon SkyRun
It’s a journey, not a race – Words by Jazz Kuschke
“I was depleted in every way,” said Salomon runner Linda Doke after winning the women’s race of the Salomon Skyrun presented by Thule, this past weekend. And there’s no better way to describe what it took to complete the high-altitude endurance run over an unmarked route through the Drakensberg of the north-Eastern Cape.
ULTIMATE ATTRITION
Athletes had to pass through nine checkpoints and be totally self-sufficient. Most runners took over 27 hours to complete the route and of the 139 starters only 77 finished.
Bruce Arnett won for an unprecedented 12th time (two titles were shared), crossing the line at Wartrail Country club at 21:45pm Saturday night, some 16 hours and 39 minutes after leaving Lady Grey. Isaac Mazibuko finished second, nearly two hours later, with Salomon brand ambassador Lance Chapman and Nico Schoeman, crossing the line together for a tied third place.
Doke – the first woman home – finished fifth overall and was followed 30-miutes later by Su Don Wauchope in a time of 21h25min. Don Wauchope also finished in the top ten overall.
YET THEY KEEP COMING BACK
“That was like five Comrades,” said Gerhard Beukes, who crossed the line with Don Wauchope. “That was my second Skyrun and right now I don’t know if there will be more,” he said after a cold Red Bull (giving wiings to all runners on route and at the finish), warm shower and meal at Wartrail Country Club. “But in a week’s time all I’ll remember is the good times and the spectacular scenery. So of course I’ll be back.” He said.
Echoing his sentiments and epitomising the personal journey of completing this challenge was Matthew De Haast, “I had a full-on fight with myself coming down Balloch Wall (the most iconic obstacle in the race, some 65-kilometres in),” he said. “Total little temper-tantrum, but then I put some music on my iPod and pushed on.” De Haast was lying in top ten before a navigational error sent him way off-course after midnight. He eventually trudged into Wartrail at 06:15 on Sunday in 18th place. Not bad for a 20-year-old.
Ryan Sandes, on his way back from altitude training at Afriski for Racing The Planet, Nepal set the runners off on their way. Sandes spent a few days scouting the route for an assault on the title next year.
For more, check out Salomon South Africa’s Facebook page.
Jean-Marc Johannes clip
I spent a day with JM shooting this video for Red Bull, shot this clip with a Nikon D7000, 50mm prime and a 16mm fisheye as well as the slider. We also strapped a GoPro to the bottom of the board and came out with some great footage.
In: Local Shoots, Red Bull
Julien Dupont shoot in Jozi
In: Local Shoots, Red Bull, Trips
