‘Monster-made Maritske’, this is how the avid trail runner described herself after tackling the 50km trial of the Beast and Monster Ultra Marathon. Maritske Rautenbach (22) took on the endurance race with an elevation of 1 732m and completed it in 11:35:00 after starting at 06:00 on February 28.

Rautenbach finished just 25 minutes ahead of the cut-off, securing fourth place among the five finishers. This was an outstanding result as she is the first-ever woman to finish the monster category of the race. There were 16 runners who participated.

Rautenbach said the tough terrain of Kings Valley, an untamed private nature reserve along the Olifants River in the Middelburg area, tested her limits.

“I went through the experience of a lifetime. It was the toughest adventure I’ve ever been on and also the most rewarding. The terrain was like nothing I’ve ever seen or experienced. It is extremely spiritual to witness the beauty of God’s creation everywhere. I went through all the emotions – I met my worst and my best self. And I would do it all over again,” she said.

“Essentially, the Rautenbach that started the race was not the same that finished it,” ‘Monster-made Maritske’ commented.

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She documented the race on her Facebook page and posted videos of some of the wildlife ‘friends’ she made along the trail. She met herds of wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, springboks, and a black mamba on her trail. She handled the encounters confidently, avoiding standing in their way. Coincidentally, she took a mini lesson on wildlife, particularly snakes, just a few days before.

She said that this race was her test for the upcoming Mac Mac Ultra in Sabie. She will take on the 50 miles [about 80km] trail race this year then gradually move up to the 200 miles [about 321km]. Her ultimate goal is to become the youngest woman to take on the longest endurance trail race in South Africa by the time she is 25.

Rautenbach discovered trail running when she relocated to the Lowveld from Vereeniging about two years ago. She said she is an avid runner and began long-distance running as a nine-year-old.

“The first time I stepped onto those trails, I knew I was home. The trees, the wildlife, the fresh air, the endless climbs, and quiet paths. On the trails, I am alive. I am free. I am exactly who I was meant to be.”

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Her dream is to compete in trail running events across South Africa and beyond, not just to race, but to tell stories, inspire others, and prove that ordinary people with big hearts and stubborn dreams can do extraordinary things.

She is currently running an active BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds for a women’s trail running community, aimed at creating a space where women feel safe, strong, welcomed, and supported in the sport.

Besides trail running and her pursuit to break records, she is dominating the netball courts, currently playing for the Mpumalanga Sunbirds as a goalkeeper.