YOU DID SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND

First off to explain the terms to my Canadian, Australian and American friends. An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres (26.2188 mi).

There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time (with the winner covering the most distance in that time). The most common distances are 50 and 100 miles, or 50 and 100 kilometres. The "100 kilometres" is an official IAAF event.

So on the 30 th March 2010 I started on a journey which would result in loads of pain, even more mud and just general craziness. I entered the George Archer 211 km run named 5 Marathons in 5 Days , all on a one kilometre circuit track.

My Daughter Anna had also entered this event, she originally was going to second me but then wondered about sitting on the side for five days watching others running, so at the end of the day she entered the race.

We arrived at Hekpoort the two days before the start, set-up our base camp which was sleeping quarters for Anna and for my wife, Esme’ and myself with a combined kitchen and sitting room. This was right next to the track that we would run on for five days.

The next morning we left the track and went off to a Lion & Rhino reserve where we did a tour through a cave sixty meters underground, in the reserve we saw many types of lion and other cats, watched Esme’ playing with white lion cubs.

All too soon Tuesday arrived, we got dressed in our kit and headed off to race briefing, George Archer explained the rules to us and just as quick as the race briefing arrived so did the start of the race, 120 hours of pain.



Anna and myself started together, remembering that the doctor had banned me from this race I walked instead of running the race. This didn’t last long, the heavens opened on us, I ran to get to shelter and suffered no pain from the stitches on my knee but there was some nasty discomfort from my ribs.

The race changed there for me, I did running and walking for the rest of the time. It rained so many times worst was day two, we had two thunderstorms which resulted in the track turning into a mud bath. I battled to keep my footing on this slippery mud but perserve and we did. Anna and I took to the track one morning at 03h00, cold and wet but it gave us much-needed extra kilometres.



During the run I got really nuts and brought out my old friends and running partners, United States Marines, I ran a 66 min 10 km one morning with the Marines singing away in my ear, I actually ended up singing with them, those who know me know that I cant sing worth a damn at least it resulted in slow runners and walkers giving way for me to have an uninterrupted run.

The next day I did it again but this time I used and external speaker so that I didn’t look or sound too crazy, they could also hear the Marines singing. In that sludge I managed to run a 79 min 10 km. The rain had really caused mega problems with us to the extent that the race distances were reduced by 10% by CGA. A few hours later the race was deemed dangerous, we could continue but at our own risk or stop and still receive our medal and shirt. When asked what we were going to do, I promptly said I did not travel 700 km to slog for three days and not finish and by the way I am still going to 211 km. Anna decided to only go to 181, the new max mileage.



The distance fell away and all too soon I approached the 160.9 km mark, internationally know as the hundred miler. It is a honour to enter into club of elite runners but in reality I have never been so alone. Esme’ was there and so was Anna but none of my friends were there. It was quite an emotional moment, something that would never be repeated.



That night Esme’ had a very bad night with the sleeping on the ground so Anna and I decided to finish that next day so that we could leave the place and Esme’ would get a good nights sleep in a proper bed. I had 51 km to go in the worst conditions imaginable, therefore I started running at 01h00. Very cold, wet and slippery but I kept at it. When it go to early morning Anna joined me on the track and she hit her 160.9 km or hundred miler, I arranged with other clubs that any available athletes waited for her at the hundred km mark, I joined in with her run on that lap and at a certain point just before the big moment I played Chariots of Fire from my MP3 player. She was overjoyed and for her it was a great moment in her life.

The sun came out and bit hard into my stored energy, I was battling to maintain a good pace, reduced to loads of walking. We had a surprise visitor at the track and that was Vince from 7de Laan, (this is a South African TV soapy) it was such a pleasure to meet him, of course Anna had to have her picture taken with him. Esme’ had to tell him that I was a 7de Laan junkie which made him very happy, a true fan.



Anna finally got her 181 km, this was a girl who until this race was a half marathoner now a 100 miler runner and a Circuit Ultra Runner. I am very proud of her.

I actually wondered if I would ever finish this race. Finally I had to revert to my Marine buddies to get me though and I did my last kilometre on a full run with the Marines, a great way to end this crazy crazy run. 42 hours 211 km wow man.




Now this competition had a toll on me, three blisters, four toenails and a burst vain in my right calf.

I have to take this opportunity to thank some people. Ria, what a star, thank you for your support, the pizza and other goodies, you really helped Marthie and myself, Anthony thank you for the pizza’s they really were so welcome in that rain and just the visit was great. Gavin your advice and help during the event was very welcome, Stuart you were great, thanks for the chats out on the track, I really appreciated it. Anna thank you for the many laps you spent with me. Thanks to the words of support from various people via sms’s.

To my Daughter who entered and ran this me, it will always be a special race.

Most importantly Esme’ thanks for given up your leave to sit around a track for four days, your support was the best, I really could not have done it without you.