Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon

Article 2009 / Day 3 ~ by Colleen Jacka

KAEM – a desert quickie

After moving camp last night, the runners settled down again to ready themselves for a shorter than expected day of desert running. Many of them made it to the day’s finish camp in less than two hours – and they were soon taking advantage of the river and the opportunity to rest up before the long day.

Bodies seemed scattered around the camp area in any bit of shade. Bathers splashed in the river and a holiday atmosphere saw all the runners able to relax and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a process of getting to know each other that culminates into a unique bond as they cross that ultimate finish line on the last day.

But to be fair, the race has become very serious for our top two men. Still nothing really separates them and they are keeping score as they pound into the finish; press the stop buttons on their watches and glance down quickly to see each second that it has taken them to get there.

Rhodri Darch tried to raise the stakes today and pushed ahead of the two men to reach the first check point 10 minutes ahead.  The two front-runners let him go and say they were confident that they could reel him in.

Rhodri’s lead was relatively short-lived as Bruce and Dirk found their second wind before the next check point and reclaimed their spot at the head of the field.

Both say that the long day will be the tester that may decide the race. Both admit that they will be looking to make a move soon after the 50km mark and both know that the day that lies ahead is probably one of the most crucial strategically.

“Today was just about clocking over the kilometres to the finish,” says Bruce adding that he hopes for some more heat on the long day as he believes that this will be to his advantage.

Dirk, who says he is running according to effort is quick to point out that there are two major days left that will influence the outcome of the race. He too sees the 60-kilometre mark as a strategic one and will be looking to make some sort of break at this point on the long day.

Mimi and Jo clasped hands and crossed the line together displaying the same sportsmanship that has so far characterised their journey through the desert. They don’t appear to be concerned about strategy or race tactics and Jo seems to believe that the long day may see Mimi move ahead.

As a previous winner of many major endurance events (including the KAEM), Mimi certainly has the CV to back up this belief, but Jo has matured into a proficient trail runner over the last few years and cannot be eliminated as a serious contender.

Geoff Hilton-Barber and Kobus Cronje rounded out the day today as they closed the course just after 3pm. Kobus is acting as Geoff’s “horse” here in the desert as he guides the blind runner across the desert towards his ultimate goal. Neither are strangers to the harsh realities of the extreme marathon, but can be happy that today’s leg has been relatively kind to them as well as the rest of the field.