Ballito butcher set to scale mountains for drug rehab

In a battle against distance, time and mental strength, Ballito butcher Warwick “Woza” Taylor will be taking on the 171km Ultra-Trail Drakensberg (UTD) challenge on April 23, testing himself against the sprawling mountains of the Southern Drakensberg and Lesotho.

While Woza is no stranger to incredible feats of endurance – completing a Comrades marathon every year for the past 20 years – the purpose of this gruelling challenge is to raise funds for a charity close to his heart.

Running in support of Waynol Christian and Anti-Narcotics Manor, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, Woza aims to raise R100 000.

The Christian, non-profit organisation, previously based in KwaDukuza town and now on the South Coast, helps drug addicts recover and equips them to reintegrate into society.

Woza met Waynol CEO, Craig Falconer, during ex-addict Richard Harvey’s epic run from Stanger to Munster, 300kms over 8 days in November last year.

“I was so impressed with the love and commitment Craig and his team display for other people. Craig, will get into his car at 2am and drive to Ballito, Underberg or even Jo’burg if it means he could possibly save someone from the clutches of addiction.

“I had asked myself hundreds of times, why would I want to do such an insane race as the UTD? I found my “why” in Waynol as they are desperately in need of funds.”

Taking runners deep into the Lesotho highlands, the race is considered a beast of a run with more than 5 000 metres of climbing, run almost entirely above 3 000m in altitude.

While ultramarathons of around 160km typically involve racing through at least 1 night, in the UTD most finishers miss 2 nights of sleep before completing the course within the allotted time of 45 hours.

Participants run with a 4-6kg pack on their backs to carry all their own liquid and food.

“”I am a little apprehensive about night running as I seem to get what I describe as tunnel vision which gives me a dizzy sensation,” said Woza.

The UTD will be Woza’s first trail race and in order to prepare his body the father of 2 has undertaken a rigorous training schedule to replicate the demanding conditions he will face.

“To prepare I run 6 days a week, split between road and trail. I get a midweek long run (30km) on a Wednesday and then I do back-to-back runs on the weekends. I have to teach my legs (and my brain) to run on tired legs.”

Nutrition is vital and Larry and Tracy Wilson from Incredible Health are helping him eat right during the ultra.

To help Taylor reach his target of R100 000 log onto backabuddy.co.za/warwick-taylor.