Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon

Article 2009 / Day 4 ~ by Colleen Jacka

KAEM – getting down to business

By day four our runners are well rested (after a shorter than planned third day) and well acquainted with each other. Those differences that separated them on the start line are beginning to fade under the desert’s dust that has crept into every crevice and painted them from top to toe.

It’s a staggered start that sees the faster runners having to wait in camp as the others leave to tackle the very long 82km stint that now stretches over rocks, sand and gravel towards their resting camp near Dabarras.

This is the day that can break the spirit of the unprepared trail runner. It is a merciless trek that requires sheer determination as well as concentration. Runners must not let down their guard; and they cannot get distracted by the rhetoric that now tends to dominate their thoughts. They must not miss that marker that points them towards home because this is the day that they don’t want to add any extra mileage to.

The first group to leave camp at 6am this morning included blind runner Geoff Hilton-Barber and his “horse” Kobus Cronje, Anne Centner, Poy Blignaut, Tjaart van der Walt, Phillip Howells, James Thomas, Martin Like, Bob Jack and Hugh Morris.  Another large group was off just an hour later with the rest of the field leaving in one hour increments up until the last group set out at 12 noon.

The last group consisting of Guy Jennings, Alwyn Maass, Colin Hart, Wayde Kennedy and Rhodri Darch also included the front duo of Dirk Cloete and Bruce Arnett. Today seems earmarked by both as the one that may prove to be a deciding one.

With all the groups out on the course, the field begins to split up and each runner finds their own pace for the day. Our runners are spread out sporadically all along the 82km route. Some chatter excitedly with their fellow runners while some sit silently on the side of the road nursing blisters, mentally preparing themselves to go on. Then there are those that seem deep in concentration – head down and moving towards today’s final goal.

Whether out there alone trying to tackle the total distance or paired up with other runners; today’s efforts can only be rewarded by the sight of a campfire glimmering at the end of a long sandy road lit intermittently by lume sticks. It’s a sight that sees even the most tired and dispirited runner perk up just a little. It’s a sight that puts every step of the day into perspective and settles all the doubts that may have crowded their thoughts during the day.

But one doubt today seems dispelled. Dirk has achieved what he has been attempting to do since day one. He has left little doubt about his seriousness to win his first ever Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon. After strategising that the second half of the long day would provide his opportunity to pull away from Bruce, he started to put distance between himself and the multiple KAEM winner from Check Point 6 onwards. Now it’s all about putting distance between himself and his rival.

And the terrain suited his strategy as the experienced roadrunner found his stride on the gravel roads that wound their way towards the night’s camp. Looking comfortable in his gait, he continued to push his lead even as Bruce tried to keep his sights on the leader.

The desert is yet to dish up the temperatures usually associated with this race. It’s a fact that Bruce, who thrives on the hotter temperatures, acknowledges is also against him. He has been hoping that soaring temperatures may have been able to impact on Dirk’s performance in the desert.

But a bout of tendonitis sees Bruce unable to maintain the pace and he has to slacken off and Dirk is able to build up a powerful lead by the end of the long day.  “I was running 4:40’s from the 60km mark onwards,” said Dirk adding that although he struggled in the sand, he feels mentally strong and is “oozing with confidence”.

But he’s quick to point out that things can still “go horribly wrong” and hopes to be able to have a good rest day to ensure that the rest of the race goes well.

Now 20 minutes behind Dirk, Bruce says that he is nevertheless quite happy about today’s race. “On a personal level I am chuffed,” he said. “Dirk has put together a superb race so far and raced a hard pace.”

Bruce says that after Check Point 6 he struggled before being able to pick up the pace somewhat, but again had to pull back between Check Point 7 and 8. “I am happy to be in so early though,” he said. 

Our two top runners spent a total of 08:16 and 08:36 out on the course today. That’s superb running from both Dirk and Bruce who are proving to be worthy adversaries in the desert.

But the adversarial spirit is definitely lacking in the ladies’ race. Jo Mackenzie and Mimi Anderson continue to be inseparable and again finished the long day hand-in-hand. They left camp at 11am and, although they admit to struggling through sections of the day, managed to stay together and complete the distance in a minute under ten hours.

Jo admits that she struggled a bit during the day and came across the line today feeling slightly nauseous. The two girls, however, seemed in good spirits at the camp and were not quick to retire for the evening.

As the campfire continues to burn and the moon squeezes itself into a sky crammed full of stars our runners continue to move towards today’s end. For some the day is longer than need be as they fumble off course in places, but there is relief on every face as they turn towards their night’s home and get their names ticked off after crossing the line.

With no dropouts today, the desert seems kinder on this 10^th anniversary of the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon. The temperatures are definitely lower than usual and is it possible that even Estienne (our route planner) has been kinder in his choice of terrain this year?