The best marathons
1. Kilimanjaro half marathon
My friend Clara Mangan and I took part in the Kilimanjaro race in Tanzania two years ago. It was an amazing experience and we are hoping to do it again someday. The race begins in Moshi and the route takes you to the foot of the mountain, breathtakingly beautiful.
2. Sani half marathon
We take part in this race every year, where the organisers take the hikers up the pass in 4x4s and then the runners make their way down the pass on their own steam to the Sani Pass Hotel. The race is in November, and the weather can oscillate from icily cold to uncomfortably hot. Athletes also have the option of running a full marathon, whereby they run from the hotel to the halfway mark of the pass and back down again. This is most likely one of the toughest marathons in this country!
3. Four Peaks race
Two years ago we entered the “Four Peaks” run near Fouriesburg, not knowing that it was a totally different run to what we were used to! Participants get 9 hours to walk, run and climb 27 km! Not recommended if you have a fear of heights.
4. The Harrismith mountain race
The story goes that this is the oldest run in South Africa. The route takes runners from the stadium in town to the foot of Platberg, and then to the top of the mountain via a narrow mountain path. At one stage, all you can see is the shoes of the person in front of you! To “motivate” you when you are tired and thirsty, there is a huge rock halfway up the mountain with the words “Now it really starts!” painted on it. On top of the mountain you run for 1 kilometre and then it’s back down again – very steep and very hard on the legs!
5. Knysna Oyster Festival half marathon
Although it’s not a mountain, it feels like you’re running down one as soon as you come out of the forest and start descending to sea level during the Knysna Oyster Festival half marathon. It is one of the most popular races in the country, and participants wait keenly for entries to open, as the number of runners is limited.
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