Bronze for Sheffield’s Andrew Erasmus at Karkloof 100 Miler
Erasmus fell sick and had to stop for 20 minutes before making it to the next station where he could meet up with his support crew.
Sheffield’s Andrew Erasmus made it four podium finishes in four years, taking bronze in this year’s punishing Karkloof 100 Miler race.
Following three silvers in a row, Erasmus went all in last weekend, hoping to grab his first gold.
“In the back of your mind you always hope to run to victory, but this year I was open with everyone that it was my goal. I hired a coach, had set times to hit throughout the event and kept track of my nutrition,” he said.
Serious training is necessary just to finish the brutal run, which is about 15km shy of two Comrades Marathons, all run off road and often in complete darkness but for a headlight.
Runners begin at 8pm and race through the night, with most taking longer than a day to complete the course, finishing in darkness on the other side.
It is a mental test as much as a physical one, particularly in the upper echelons of the race where months of sacrifice are necessary to be competitive.
“I felt good going into it, running with eventual winner Admire Muzopambwa for the first half. I then broke away, building up a 15-minute lead before it all came crashing down at about the 130km mark.”
Erasmus fell sick and had to stop for 20 minutes before making it to the next station where he could meet up with his support crew.
“I literally had to stop and sit on a rock. For a while I honestly couldn’t see a way to complete those final 30kms.”
But with the support of his team, Erasmus got back on track and pushed through to finish in 20:13.17, about two hours behind Muzopambwa.
Even with the multiple stoppages over the last section, Erasmus was still more than 45 minutes ahead of fourth place, an indication of the quick pace he had set early on.
“I think this is going to be my last one for a while. My wife and I have another child on the way and the training just takes too much time away from them.”
He thanked his team and the other runners who helped him throughout the day.
Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news
Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0
WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Add The Courier to WhatsApp at 082 792 9405 and WhatsApp your name and surname to be added.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
