TRAIL

WORDS RICH ROLL / DEON BRAUN PODCAST | INTERVIEW Close your eyes and imagine yourself running a trail ultramarathon in the beautiful Australian Outback. You’re enjoying the experience, when suddenly you find yourself trapped in a gorge, surrounded by

Trail runners who inspire us He says they decided to form a hiking club to address poaching, showcase rock art sites, highlight gender equality issues, and appreciate the area's beauty. The group is called Mqatsheni Hiking and Environmental Solutions

Is it ever too late for a comeback? I think as long as you can breathe, you’ve got a chance. Take Fauja Singh as an example. He’s one of the people I greatly admire, not because of what he does, but what he stands for. For me, he represents everythin

WORDS DEON BRAUN Are you thinking about eating fewer animal products? Tweet #TrailPlanet @TRAILza Do you remember the crazy things that happened when you were just three or four years old? I have a 1970 flashback from a village called Ballengeich*, n

Access 8am – 6pm Dogs No Entry R155 / Day One 31km / Day Two 28km / Ascent 4,600m / Difficulty Tough Our Tsitsikamma fastpack adventure was super fun. It was a run-hike-run, self-sufficient, everything you need, nothing you don’t, overnight trail. Ro

Being fit and being healthy are two different, but often conflated things. DR GABE MIRKIN explains exactly how exercise can help and hurt your immune system. Use this information to stay healthy and on the trails! Most competitive athletes follow a s

Kind women on the run Trail runners who inspire us Who do you admire? people@trailmag.co.za The HIP SISTERS are older sis Ruth and younger sis Nicci, raising money for hip replacements in the Western Cape. The SOLE SISTERS are a group of friends insp

Access Summer 5am – 7pm Winter 6am – 6pm Dogs No Entry R35 / Day One 18km / Day Two 31km / Ascent 3,673m / Difficulty Challenging The Drakensberg is a trail runner's play ground with big climbs; long descents; and rugged, technical, ankle twisting an

Excellent news: sweet potatoes are a health food! Starch is not the enemy. In fact, people living on Okinawa, Japan, have a diet comprising of 90% starch, which is a contributing factor to their longevity. Dietitian LAURA MAY is here to sing the prai

Access 7am – 5pm Dogs No Entry R57 / Day One 17km / Day Two 15km / Ascent 2,000m / Difficulty Very tough Flowing singletrack through indigenous forests and pine plantations, steep climbs, technical descents, panoramic views, and spectacular mountain

Lea Johnson, the French-born, USAbased author of Zero Waste Home, visited South African cities in May to promote her practical style of minimalism. It has helped her household of four discard just one medium-sized jar of waste each year. She emphasis

Access 6am-6pm Dogs No Entry R150 / Day One 11km / Day Two 14km / Ascent 1,100m / Difficulty Easy Unless you relish hot-footing it from the wrath of a shotgun wielding landowner who disapproves of your trespassing, you might try the Kgaswane Summit T

Access Summer 6am – 6pm Winter 7am – 5pm Dogs No Entry R280 / Day One 13km / Day Two 21km / Ascent 1,075m / Difficulty Easy Run to the tip of the Cape Peninsula – check. Spot a whale – check. Sea breezes, spectacular scenery, and solitude – check, ch

The international event family Share your event adventures: events@trailmag.co.za CHILE, 6 April 2017 Jozi barefoot marathoner Andrew Barnes took on this 100km run through Patagonia, opting for shoes to manage the ice, rock, and snow underfoot. Andre

WORDS HELOISE HUNTER Since ultra runs are often won and lost with the gut, why not chew on something to settle your stomach? Sara Jane McShane’s vegan ginger gummy bears will help relieve cramps, gas, nausea, and even inflammation. What a magical roo

Vybarr Cregan-Reid R375 v-publishing.co.uk “The French word for a track, sentier, carries with it the wonderful idea that pathways are like scent trails for us to follow,” says Vybarr Cregan-Reid in his 2016 book Footnotes. And then he continues: “Wh

When I think about comfort, especially pertaining to trail running, it suggests a feeling of freedom and ease. I have never felt so much freedom as I did at Lesotho Ultra Trail last year. Running on top of the world is the greatest feeling ever. Did