Monday, 02 February 2009
Wild Coast Ultra 9 Feb - awesome pics

15 runners and 3 crew, including the popular doctor Peter Samuel, will start the WCU from Silaka Nature Reserve at 3^rd Beach, Port St Johns on Monday 9^th February. Running an average of 45 kilometers a day for 6 days the runners will cover 270 kilometers, armed with a map and backpack of supplies they will be totally self sufficient during the run but sleep over at hotels along the way. 

They will arrive at Nahoon Beach East London on 14^th February, completing the last 18 kilometers by competing in the “Discovery Surfers Challenge”. 

Most trail runs are in stunning settings but this must be the closest to paradise that you can get in SA.  Up front Andre Erasmus will be coming from a solid Skyrun and will be pressured again as he was at the Big Bafer, by Steve Black and his Canadian mate Ed Hanrahan.  Kim van Kets starts off another year of mega trails after a very full 2008 and should better the record of 55:56 held by Alice Achermann.  The men’s record of 45.25 held by Ernest Markwood, who is pedaling around India at present, should also go this year – will it be back to Andre?  Further back are Nelius and Nelmarie Rall, looking for another challenge along with Simon Cooke, Sean Delport, Tallies Sadler, Siegfried Milbert and his daughter Cinzia.  Eugene Martin and Patrick Elson, Wild Coast fundis will be midfielding.  It will be interesting to see what effect blisters, incorrect route choices, river crossings as well as rough terrain and long days will have on the runners. 

Race report after the event.

Dave