- Photo Credit: Zac Zinn 

Ultra Trail Drakensberg 100 Miler Recap by Nicolette Griffioen

"A few months out from UTD 2024 I was still undecided between the 100km and the 100 miler. I felt that the new 100km route would be a fun challenge - all singletrack along the Giant's Cup Trail followed by an ascent of Sani Pass on tired legs. But ultimately, the lure of earning a bell through completing the 100 miler won me over.

The first 27km in Lesotho were spectacular but a tough start to the race. With almost 1300m of ascent, run at an average altitude of 3050m, the potential to push too hard on fresh legs was high. Fortunately some thick mist required GPS navigation early on, and while my Suunto 9 Peak Pro was spot on, the constant route referencing slowed me down slightly. But apparently, not enough... By the time I was on the Twelve Apostles descent - a section where it's usually hard not to let go and have gravity do all the work while you just enjoy the ridgeline views - I was feeling pretty nauseous and miserable. Realising it was way too early in the race for this, I had to try to resolve the issue. After about an hour of nil per os, I resumed consumption of very small amounts of real, whole food and plain water. It seemed to help.

From 40 to 80km I gradually regained strength and pace, relieved to be back on track. That night competitors faced cold and wet conditions, regardless of where they were on the course. Having checked the forecast pre-race, I'd opted to pack two inov8 waterproof jackets into my pack, and I was very glad for it. Soaked through and starting to lose core temperature after several hours of continuous rain, I forced myself to stop and don a thermal top and dry waterproof. A few more hours of bliss... I hit another low, mentally and physically, around 2:30am as I climbed away from Swiman in driving wind and rain on an exposed slope. I tried to think clearly in my fatigued state, and eventually found a protected spot to change into thermal and waterproof pants.

As usual, the early morning hours dragged, but a few caffeine capsules and a headlight battery change eventually saw me emerging on the other side of storm and night. With dawn came a weak and watery sunshine, but it was enough to raise 100 miler spirits. Somewhere between Castleburn and Mzimude I removed my headlight and swapped it for a breakfast hot cross bun from my pocket. It was time to get this run done!

In reality, the last few hours were somewhat of a painful shuffle-hike, but made manageable by the very friendly Cobham aid station staff, another run-through of my playlist, and arguably the best scenery in the country for company. At just under 26 hours I rounded the final field and climbed towards the finish line. I would take top step at the UTD 100 miler this year, but, more importantly, I would receive and ring my first bell with a very special group of ultra runners."