Finding triumph in dusty desolation

Three extreme trail runners recently returned from participating in the 150km Richtersveld Wildrun straddling the border between South Africa and Namibia from June 4 to 7.

The Wildrun took place for the first time in the magnificent Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park over four days and a total of 150km of desert running.

Mother and son duo Sandy and Adrian Damant, who live on a farm outside of town, and Ballito resident Brent Youens along with his brother tackled the brutal terrain of Richtersveld desert together.

Adrian Damant (22) was the youngest runner taking part.

They covered just under 40kms over a period of six and a half hours each day.

Having done many demanding runs before they decided this should not be too much of a challenge for them.

Little did they know just how unbelievably cruel it would turn out to be.

“Never in a million years would I have thought it would be that hard and not in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would experience the things I did,” said Sandy.

This epic journey took them through some of the most magnificent and harsh desert scenery in the world.

This life changing experience took the runners to physical and emotional highs and lows like nothing before.

“You are pushing your body so hard, you are suffering and its emotional,” said Sandy.

The terrain and freezing cold weather conditions were extreme and at times terrifying.

“There were tough men close to tears in some parts of the run. It was the most draining run I have experienced.”

Of the 57 runners, 53 finished the trail successfully.

On the first evening while camping under the stars in a dry river bed a freak rain came pouring down causing the runners to evacuate at 3am as the water flowed into a river.

This location only expects 40mls of rain a year but in that one night they had 20mls of rain, something the locals have never seen before.

Runners were left sopping wet and freezing cold.

“We assumed the run would be canceled but in five hours time it was shoes on and off we go again.”

What made the trail even more challenging was that the runners had to navigate themselves using Garmins and following maps.

Despite the hardcore and tough conditions Sandy described the location as the most spectacular place.

“It was like a completely new world.”