Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon 2003 ~ Results and Article

With the firing of the starter’s gun, the 20 runners in the Augrabies Extreme were off, heading north, away from the comforts of the Khamkirri Lodge and the banks of the Orange River.

The field was divided into two from the start with legendary blind runner Geoff Hilton Barber keeping up the rear group while a pack of seven with Alain Charlier and Aaron Ngwenya at the helm hared off as if they intended to break the course record. The first day was a gentle breaking in 29 km stage. Gone were the hazy skies of the days preceding the event with the weather Gods providing perfect blue skies. The recipe for extreme heat in the unforgiving Kalahari. 

Unlike an event like the Comrades where you are surrounded by supporters, here before I knew it I was alone, surrounded by the arid landscape that seems to go on for miles. My tactic for day one was simple; spend as little time in the sun as possible while at the same time trying to run well within myself.  The first ten 10 kms were run on pure adrenalin as I surged forward. It seemed to easy but somewhere in the back of my mind I knew it would not last. I was like a young dog that was going to the beach for the first time. I kept on forcing myself to slow down.

As we had started at 9 o’ clock I could now feel a significant increase in the temperature. I was consuming liquids like crazy to prevent possible dehydration. A good indication of how hot it was is that I had about seven litres of liquid while running during the first day.  

The first difficult part of the route was a severe climb up a 4x4 track along some spectacular rock scenery. I was not enjoying the scenery as I let out a loud curse every time I stubbed my toes on the rocks. Luckily my mother was not about to hear them.  I allowed myself a walk as one of the Belgian runners went past me. The last check point for the day was on top of this climb. I had forgotten to pack my PVM drink sachets into my side pouches and I did not feel like stopping to long so I headed off. 

As I went downhill I started to feel stronger as I had consumed a packet of salty biscuits not too long ago. I even broke into song at one stage. Not quite Julie Andrews stuff but rather some Rolling Stones. I wanted to finish now as it was well over thirty degrees and my brains were starting to boil. As I came over the hill I thought I saw the finish but it was a false alarm as it was the reflection of a few car wrecks in the sun.  

I passed a few horses and considered trying some bareback riding but then I saw the finish banner. Day 1 was behind me and I had managed to get through it without any blisters. It had been tougher than I expected and it is more than just running on a dirt road as you really have to concentrate while running over the rocky sections. I am happy to be out of the sun and tomorrow I might start a little slower and run with one of the more experienced runners.  

I have to finish by telling you that tonight I will be enjoying a 600-gram steak that I carried in my backpack so tomorrow it should be a kilogram lighter. As I type this my good friend Geoff and crazy Aussie Bill have just crossed the line. Time to go exchange war stories. Till tomorrow then. Don’t forget to pray for rain.  

It was a day of no steak, no rain again and a route that was mostly run on the red sands of the Kalahari. Once again Alain, Aaron, Mark and Lee headed off in the front while the rest of us followed. I decided to change my tactics and rather run conservatively while still trying to enjoy the day rather than worry about time as we had loads of miles to cover. 

It was not long and I found myself next to Deon, an Augrabies veteran. We had a good natter like two ladies exchanging neighborhood news and before I knew it we had reached the first water point at the 9km mark. Deon’s company was a blessing as I had not been feeling that strong to start with and now I had renewed energies. Deon would be waiting for the first lady, Lynne, so I went forward with Pieter but we ran different paces so I left him behind. 

The sand was becoming a real pain in the ass now and seemed like it would never end. I constantly found myself trying to find the hardest section on the road but gave up at times so I just put my head down and went forward. Every half hour or so I would allow myself a walk to take a break from what can only be described as the Kalahari shuffle. It is a bit like a dance as you shuffle through the sand. As your shoes hit the sand little red puffs of smoke go up in the air, just like when a gymnast claps his hand before mounting the bars. I was on my own and loving it, the surrounding red rocks were lovely to look at but I could only see them when I allowed myself the privilege of looking up. 

No one has ever run the whole way in Augrabies, as the terrain does not allow for it. I had been warned that I must under no circumstances run if I have sand in my shoes as your feet is all you have to run on and the sand hurries on the occurrence of blisters. Augrabies runner’s enemy number one. So I allowed myself a stop under a lovely shady tree while I emptied my shoes. I was so comfortable that I had a pee while sitting. Another first for me! Told you this race was no ordinary race. Adapt or die as Pieter Dirk Uys said or was it PW? 

The effect of the stop was phenomenal and before I knew it I was at the last checkpoint. I felt good and hit the uphill rocky section like a klipspringer although if someone could have seen me it must have looked more like a coal walking session as the rocks feel like blades on your feet. I had a short stop and drink at the lookout point when I eventually reached the top of the plateau. 

The day was getting long now and I had been out there longer that I thought I would but this was mainly because of the sand. I figured out I had half an hour to the camp and I decided not to walk again till I got there. When you see the camp for the first time it is like getting off a train with your girlfriend on the platform and you cant get the bloody door open. But luckily I knew what lay ahead. The most pleasing aspect of today’s run was the way I kept it together even though it was much tougher than the day before. Yes fair enough I had been out there for about five hours but that is the nature of the beast Augrabies. 

It was also nice to hear that race leader Alain allowed himself a walk today just before the end when he too had had enough, although he broke into a sprint when he saw the surprise performer of the race thus far, Mark catching up.  

Allow me to tell you what happens after we reach the camp after a day on the road. Firstly you can get your feet washed, a rub down and then any blisters attended too. After this all the helpers hit the road and the runners are left to their own devices with only a tent and toilet seat frame for company. Wanna try Augrabies next year? An incident that provided us all with loads of laughs last night was when blind runner Geoff brushed his teeth with Savlon cream instead of toothpaste!  

One of the things I am struggling with the hardest is that you have nothing to do except lie around once you get in from your run. I know I should stop complaining as I am going to need all that energy. Fortunately I have some very special people around me to make it more bearable. Tomorrow it is the shortest leg of the race followed of course by the longest overnight stage of the race. Till tomorrow then, Augrabies fans.    

“When the sun beats down and heats the tar upon the roof and your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fire proof.” – Under the boardwalk by the Rolling Stones  

Today was the shortest day and also supposedly one of the easiest. Practically the whole road we followed had small yellow flowers either on or next to it. They would have been more appropriately placed in the forests of Dellville Wood and not the middle of the desert. Today would very nearly turn out to be my Dellville Wood as tactically ran a very poor leg. 

I committed runner’s suicide by staying with the leader when we started this morning and at one stage even thought that I could stay with the leading pack till the end. Maybe the sun was starting to take its toll. I was breaking every rule that I had created for myself prior to the event. The pace was blistering and we reached the first water point in about 40 minutes. I decided to let them go, as I would blow otherwise. Very wise choice I would later find out. 

The route Estienne had set was the most scenic yet and after the water point we headed down into a kloof. If the downhill was not so steep I might have had more time to enjoy it. Later another competitor Aaron would fall on one of the downhills and slightly injuring his knee and eye in the process. It did not get him down though as he still flashed his million-dollar grin when telling us what had happened. He even added a tale to the story blaming a left hook from me as the cause of his ailments. 

A slight breeze greeted us at the bottom of the kloof and now we found ourselves running with hills on both sides. The going was much better than the previous day with the short sandy sections definitely runnable. At the second checkpoint I did not stop for long as I wanted to get the day over with. Four of us left the point together but soon the group split up and found myself with the likeable Fernand from Belgium.  

I was running out of steam very quickly now and at the bottom of one of the hills I decided to take in a walk to try and recover. I was paying the price for my fast start now. I whipped out a roll of wine gums and ate the whole lot. About five minutes later I was good to go. I worked out it was about half an hour to the camp and did not feel like walking again as the heat in the gorge was becoming slightly uncomfortable. 

The last section to the camp was sandy and here I caught Fernand again. He gave me his trademark smile and we crossed the finish line together. I hope that I will not rue my decision to go out hard this morning as things like that have a nasty habit of catching up with you later. Lee Capper came in just behind me and it had been a hard day for him. To make matters worse he dropped one of his slops along the route leading to a time penalty for equipment dropped.   

Tomorrow is the longest day and night as we start at midday and do a 61 km stretch. I am going to start with one of the veterans of the race Pieter as this is the one-day that I do not want to out too fast. I will have to go and give some long hard thought to what lies ahead. I will sharpen my sword tonight as I prepare to slay the beast of the Augrabies Extreme. Bring it on I say. 

Blister report: My feet have held up pretty well and thus far and I am happy to say that no blister thus far. The signs that we have been running for 3 days now are becoming apparent with small ailments popping up all over the place. The runners are in good spirits though and we will be helping each other on as we tackle the two toughest sections over the next three days. Remarkably there have been no withdrawls so far which might give you a good indication of the quality of the field running this year. Spare a thought for our friend Fabio whose feet have taken a pounding over the last 2 three days. He definitely gets the worst feet award.  

Day 4/5

The longest day..I see a bad moon rising; I see there’s trouble on the way.

Bad Moon Rising by Credence Clearwater Revival

Traditionally the long day of the Augrabies Extreme Marathon has always been run during full moon. It was the day I had been waiting for as the previous 3 days were all a warm up to the big one. To ensure slow runners were not at a disadvantage, it was a staggered start with runners leaving at hour intervals until the race leaders left at midday. 

I ran on my own again slowly building up till I had found a suitable rhythm. I noticed the two runners behind me watching to see where the road and me were going before they cut across to catch up with me. A good tactic might be to stay with them as maybe I could feed off them, so I did. We reached the first water stop in under an hour. 

What happened next will live with me as long as I live. We entered the Bak River Gorge, probably the most beautiful place I have ever run in. It stretches for about 10 kilometres and one has to negotiate soft sand, rock pools and stony stretches. It was hard reading the softness of the sand and on two occasions I went knee deep into the mud. This meant a stop for fresh socks as sand in the shoes leads to blisters later on. I was on some sort of a spiritual runner high. 

About half way down the gorge I met Geoff being ably led by Kobus. It was something else to see Geoff having to climb down massive rocks with his stick. He would constantly stub his shoes on the rocks. It would take him 4 hours to get through the gorge but even if that gorge were 100 km long it would not have broken his spirit. “Don’t you think this place is beautiful Patrick,” he quipped as I passed. I gave him a big hug. ‘ I love you man,” said Geoff and I had all the motivation needed to continue.  

Just before the end of the gorge I asked the runners behind me which way we must go once out. They said right and off I went on my own. It was the wrong way and after about half an hour I realized this. I was losing the plot and smashed my water bottle against some rocks in frustration. I went to the river to get some water as I had long since run out. After having lost about an hour I found the water point and a much relieved Estienne. It had taken me 2h45 to run 10 kilometres. Welcome to Augrabies Patrick! 

Dirk Staal was at the checkpoint and he was not well. He had been unable to hold down anything the past few days and had decided to withdraw. We called Dirk the Six Million Dollar Man as he always had that Lee Majors serious look on his face. He had given it his best shot and we hope that he gives the race another bash next year because he is certainly capable of finishing the thing. Later on in the day Shaun also felt like throwing the towel in but after some forceful convincing and a long lie down at a water table even he was able to continue. So after day four we only have one casualty to report. 

The trick for me was to now play catch up for time lost but still not push my body over the edge. The curveballs were coming through thick and fast now from Race Director Estienne. After the gorge it was a marathon sand section. I ran long sections of it but also allowing myself the odd walk as sometimes it became a little too much. I could feel the sun burning the back of my legs and it was now the hottest part of the day. I was running with third placed Aaron now and we now faced a climb of Everest like proportions to get to the next checkpoint. It was a road that I would not even drive up due to the rocks and steepness. It was about two kilometers long and reduced everyone that came up it to a desperate crawl. 

After the third checkpoint the sand continued and I once again found myself running on my own. After about fifteen minutes I met up with Michelle Fookwe, who was powering along in her unique way. I hung on next to her and used her pace to guide me along. I was enjoying the constant pace while to our right the burning red sun turned the landscape into an iron ore colour. The moon was also out now and we reached the fourth checkpoint. I was out of it, one of the nurses filled all my water bottles while I ate some energy bars.  

I think it is fair that I tell you a little about Michelle at this point. If Augrabies Extreme was longer she would win it. She has a reputation of running with the leaders on the long days. Not tall enough to see over a bar counter she scurries along like a squirrel on something illegal, her little legs powering her on.  My fuel tank had reached empty now so I ate a roll of Super C’s, winegums and an energy bar. They would only kick in after about half an hour. I was like a boxer against the ropes but still somehow I was managing to avoid that knockout punch. One of the nurses told me I looked pale at the last water table but now it was 8km to go. The road was up and down over the last stretch with green illumination sticks showing the way. I was on my own again and got the fright of my life when Michelle sneaked up on me after we had turned off to towards the hot springs.  

It was all downhill and I went as hard as possible. I badly wanted the day to be over now. I rounded the last bend and was over the finish line. My lungs were burning and I was breathing heavily. After I recovered I went for a long soak in the hot springs. I must have been there for over an hour and the rest of the runners came to join me. Marc (hope his family notice I spelt his name right) and myself waited at the gate for our mentor Geoff to come in. Marc had had the run of his life today and managed to move into first place after Alain had picked up some difficulty. He was running a superb tactical race and I would love a South African to win the race. Call me patriotic or whatever but who enjoys the Russian domination of Comrades?

A massive cheer went up when Geoff and his horse Kobus crossed the line. As Kobus was night blind it was a case of the blind leading the blind over the last stretch. I could not sleep so hung around the finish line till Sean and Fabio came in just before two. It was time to get some sleep and tomorrow is a much deserved rest day. Rumour has it that the 43 km stretch that follows will be a toughie. I am sure I will be sufficiently recovered by then. The race is hotting up now with only a few minutes between the leading ladies and all await to see if Marc can hold on. I think he can. Watch this space for another gripping chapter of the Augrabies Extreme.    

The road is long; with many a winding turn, that leads us to who knows where. But I am strong, strong enough to carry on. He ain't heavy, his my brother… Can’t remember the artist. 

Last night I slept in the middle of the sandy gorge at Warm Bron. The moon was full, turning the place into virtual daytime. The stars and surrounding craggy rocky mountains was the perfect picture and soon I was asleep. The mozzies had other ideas and I was being bombarded from every direction. When I awoke the last thing I felt like doing was running as I scraped together a mealie meal breakfast. 

The first ten kilometers of the day’s run was in a sandy gorge but as some water had flowed through it recently and it was mostly hard. I initially stayed on Pieter’s ass as he was only a few minutes ahead of me in the race standings but he soon stopped to adjust something in his bag. I was in the front but soon race leader Marc and Alain joined me. The plan was now to stick with them, as the pace was not too fast.  

My bladder in my backpack, which held my water, started to leak and soon my socks were soaked from it. This was not good for blisters but I was not stopping now. In less than an hour we had negotiated the gorge and had our first water replenishment. It was now time for the mother of a hill, it actually turned out to be a series of hills. Marc was egging me on and I jokingly said to him that it would be nice if I could win a stage! It was too early to think about that though. The going was pretty rocky and steep but the views into the valley spectacular. I quietly said a prayer for blind runner Geoff who would be coming through here later. 

I could not believe it when we reached the second waterpoint. I got nurse Gillian to look at my feet because my number of blisters had increased like bunnies in a hatch. Also time for clean socks and off went the three musketeers again. 

I now surged ahead and started to think of my reasons for running the race. I was running for my brother Paul, who three days a week has to go to hospital, and everytime I go there I see people who have lost the will to fight and will never be able to do things like this. By now the tears were streaming down my face so I made sure stayed ahead of Alain and Marc so they would not notice. I am also running for my Dad who has been disabled my whole life. I was not feeling my Achilles injury or my blisters anymore but rather the pain of those I was running for. I knew I was going too fast and needed to take in some liquids. Soon Mark and Alain were with me again. 

Some people think a run is a along slow thing but today I was in a zone that only comes along every few years. Everything was flying past at a million miles per hour. Water point stops were brief, everything was intense, and I was like a lizard that had taken a few too many ecstasy tablets. We went through the Riemvasmaak gate and then turned off into the park, there were no other runners in sight. We went through the last checkpoint and now it was about 9 kilometers to the camp. 

Alain kept on surging to see if he could put some distance between himself and Marc and they left me behind. I was not fazed and just hung in. The road was up and down with some sections very rocky; I was flying recklessly on the downhills with hardly any concern for my well being. I was pounding my legs as hard as they could go. Suddenly the road became sandy and I hauled in Marc and Alain as they were walking. My sand training in Namibia had paid off I smirked to myself.

We decided there and then that we would all cross the line together. Estienne came past us on his quadbike and told us only 300 metres to go. It was almost over, we all held hands as we crossed the line together. I was pretty emotional, threw off my backpack and went for a swim in the river. I could not believe that I had come first in a stage. We had run 43 kilometres in just over 4 and a half hours! Not bad for a marathon especially after what we had run in the preceding days. 

As I type this Lynne has just crossed the line but not too far behind her was that girl Michelle again. So there is not much in the women’s race with 25 km to go tomorrow. Marc looks as if he has sown up the men’s race, as Alain will only have 25 km to make up about half an hour I think. You gotta admit that this is better than watching a soapie. Tomorrow we get transported across the river for the last leg to the Augrabies National Park. The beers had better be cold because we are coming to get them. As I type the last days report I should have a beer in my hand so excuse me if the report is slow in coming! 

The stars still shine bright and the roosters are still asleep but the runners are restless and awake because today is the last day. It is a staggered start with the slower runners leaving first and then Marc, Alain and myself in the last group to leave at 8 in the morning. 

For me the race is already over. Yesterday I turned the race on its head by jumping 3 places in the standings and only a natural disaster will dislodge me from third place. We cross the river by boat and work our way through the reeds. The song from the Killing Fields movie plays over and over in my head and I imagine I am an American hunting down the Vietcong. It is not long and we are in the vineyards. God has been kind to us giving us another day of cloud cover. I have not had break fast as I am sick of eating the same food for the last 7 days. I long for bacon and eggs and not mealie meal. 

We now cross into the reserve and I am so busy looking at the ground that I almost miss the turn. Marc and Alain hare off and I decide to run at my own pace. I check at the first water point that I have already gained a few minutes on the guy in fourth place. I have pushed myself hard on the previous two stages and can feel it today. There is only ten kilometres left of toady’s 26 km stage and I allow myself to dream of things I will be able to enjoy once the race was finished. I see ice-cold cokes, Castle lager beer, and juicy chops just off the braai and then I stub my toe on a rocky descent. I don’t even curse because I know it is just about over.  

I hardly take on water at the last water table before slogging on.  This all seemed so far away a week ago and now it was just a matter of time before I finished. With just over a kilometre to go I had to run through some water but now I did not care about getting my feet wet. Even if I stood on a landmine I would be able to pull myself forward for the last kilometre on my hands.

I could hear the cheering as I rounded the corner before breaking the tape that Estienne and Nadia were holding up. Everyone except me had bloody cold beers in their hands. I did not care because it was over and I had been the last to cross the line. Never in my wildest dream had I imagined finishing third. I was so proud of my achievement as I had only come to write the story and finish.  

I have to use this column to thank my dear friend Geoff who is the most sighted blind person I know and without his experience and input to my race preparation I would definitely not have finished where I did. I know I am not alone on this one. Each and every runner and helper played his or her part in making my Augrabies experience an unforgettable one.

Augrabies is not a race it is an experience. It has increased the size of my running family to Catholic like proportions. The support staff was magnificent and from a runners perspective everything went smoothly. Our tents were up by the time we reached the overnight spot (even though it is too hot to get into them) and the massage crew was always there at the end of each stage. There was even someone to wash your feet when you finished everyday! By day 2 I started to smell like death yet no one said a thing. When you were down the other runners will not allow you to give up and always had something good or funny to say about you. I am already making plans to go back again next year. Not as a runner as I already have what I want from the race. I want to put something back into the event plus this time I get to watch the runners suffer and this time I get to support them. Till next year then!