Ballito runners conquering Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge
Local trail runners Natasha Barnes and husband and wife team Russel and Taryn van Rensberg took on the tough challenge with pure grit and determination.
Rain, snow and sunshine, the 2019 Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge had it all.
The intimidating 50km trail run took place on Saturday at the Royal National Park that forms part of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site, only one of two heritage sites in KwaZulu Natal.
For 27 years now ‘Monties’ has set the bar incredibly high for trail runs in South Africa and while the intimidating 50km trail is undoubtedly one of the most scenic runs in the country, it also takes a fair bit of grit to conquer the terrain.
Local trail runners Natasha Barnes and husband and wife team Russel and Taryn van Rensburg took on the tough challenge with pure grit and determination.
The runners described the adventure as one of greatest trail adventures they had experienced and, while the high altitude added another dimension to the challenge, in the end it was well worth it.
“Completing this trail was one of the most epic and crazy experiences in my life – tough, but at the same time unique and rewarding.
“The views were breathtaking and while the trail was technical in certain parts the entire event was unforgettable,” said Barnes, who said the event was one for the bucket list and an ultimate trail-running experience.
Mont-Aux-Sources is a basalt plateau that lies at an average elevation of around 3,050 metres above sea level.
The race involves 19 km of climbing (1100 metres of ascent) to the Sentinel Car Park at the base of the plateau, a 12 km circuit reaching over 3,200 metres (including climbing two chain ladder sections bolted directly to the rock wall), and then the punishing descent back to the starting point.
Proceeds go towards the endangered Bearded Vulture, the Monarch of the Maluti-Drakensberg mountains.
The trail adventure forms part of the WildSeries, a group of trail runs established to profile some of South Africa’s spectacular natural heritage while raising funds for key conservation projects such as protecting the Wild Dog and the Bearded Vulture to South Africa’s endangered Cranes.
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