"The mountains are calling, and I must go."

- John Muir KWAZULU-NATAL, DRAKENSBERG - All good stories have an adventure at their core. Conceptualised by the owner of the Cathedral Peak Hotel, William Van Der Riet, the Cathedral Peak Challenge is not a call to beat or overcome the mountain; it is an invitation to reconnect with the wilderness in its purest form. Go on an adventure into the great outdoors. Challenge yourself on the trail to the top of Cathedral Peak and back down again. Over a distance of 20km with a total ascent of 1531m to summit highest free- standing peak in the Drakensberg, at an altitude of 3005m, the Cathedral Peak Challenge requires you to be at your best and your bravest, every step of the way.

 The 8th of June 2018 marked the first official run for the money - those quickest to the top and back have a chance to share in cash prizes totalling R100 000. All 38 of the entrants made it to the start line and completed the daunting challenge to try and bag a healthy R25 000 for the fastest male, female and mixed team of 2.Some of the big names to set their mark on the Challenge included top trail runners Mlungisi Mazibuko, Perfect Dlamini, Jeannie Dreyer, and Christiaan  Greyling and Landie Greyling; top OCR athletes Thomas van Tonder, Dominique D'Olivera, Sabrina Daolio and JP Mare; top triathletes Matthew Holden, Michael Ferreira, Michael Lord and Hayden Corke; as well as Mrs South Africa 2018, Nicole Capper, seven-time Dusi winner and founder of the Change a Life Academy, Martin Dreyer, and Angela Yeung from Trek for Mandela 2018. Make no mistake; this challenge is not for your average Joe. If you think it will be a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park, think again. A high degree of physical and mental fitness is required if you decide to #ChallengeYourself. 

Christiaan Greyling had his work cut out with a late surge from Mlungisi Mazibuko who made a final sprint to the line, which Greyling won in a time of 2 hours 29 minutes and 52 seconds, only 8 seconds ahead of Mazibuko, setting a new course record, which was held by Megan Mackenzie with a time of 2 hours and 53 minutes.  In the ladies’ race, it was one-way traffic for trail runner Jeannie Dreyer, who completed the challenge in a time of 3 hours and 19 minutes, 26 minutes shy of Megan Mackenzie course benchmark set on 10 May during the route launch. Elite Obstacle Course Racer, Sabrina Daolio came in second, 47 minutes behind Dreyer.

The third lady home was Landie Greyling in a time of 4 hours and 8 minutes. Top of the men’s leaderboard so far, Christiaan Greyling, comments, “What a beautiful experience. It’s something I would recommend to everyone and anyone. Everyone should challenge themselves on this race. It’s hard to explain all the emotions you experience on this mountain. It brings you closer to nature, draws out raw human emotion as you push your limits, but you will never regret it.” The next date to keep in mind will be 18 July 2018, when a bonus race has been made available in celebration of Mandela Day, after which the series resumes on 28 July, 25 August and 22 September in one of South Africa’s most beautiful regions.

These dates are supported race days to the summit, while the Mini Challenge, on unsupported days, follows the course to the base camp of the peak and can be completed at any time before the final day of The Challenge. Singles can enter for only R250 and teams may enter at R400 per team. Have the chance to beat the best of the best and claim the R25 000 cash prize at the end of the series, for the fastest mixed team, male or female. Participants are welcome to enter again and again and challenge themselves to better their times, until The Challenge’s final day on 30 September - #ChallengeYourself. While one does not have to stay at the Cathedral Peak Hotel to race, participants that do will receive a 25% discount for the duration of their stay while running the challenge, allowing those brave souls to not only challenge their limits but to renew their souls at this outstanding resort with all its amazing facilities. 

Do you have what it takes to #ChallengeYourself?

 For more information, and to register, go to www.cathedralpeak.co.za/challenge/

Follow the Cathedral Peak Hotel on:FACEBOOK - @CathedralPeakHotelTWITTER - @cathedralpeakhotel

EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA - The 21st edition of the SkyRun SA, powered by Salomon, through the remote Witteberg Mountain Range in the Eastern Cape lived up to its tag of ‘A hell of a run.’

Athletes braved winds, biting cold, and waist-high snow-covered mountains with very tricky terrain and severe up and down mountain climbs to complete what is considered the toughest Trail Run in South Africa. The event has three distances, the SkyRun Marathon - a 42km marked route with a 7-hour time cap; the SkyRun 65km and the SkyRun 100km are both self-support and self-navigation races across remote terrain at an average altitude of between 2200m and 2500m above sea level. Top South African trail runner and 2016 SkyRun winner, Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team SA/ Salomon/ Garmin), along with 192 other competitors took on the extreme challenge of completing the 100km trail from Lady Grey to the Wartrail Country Club. From the start, the race route climbs dramatically reaching an altitude of 2419m at the first check-point, just 12km into the race.

The route continues to climb, culminating in a rough, steep climb to its highest point, Avoca peak, at 2756m. From then on, runners traverse ‘Dragonback’, a 3m wide ridge line, before a technical descent into the valley. At 55km into the race, runners reach the compulsory stop, Balloch Cave. Here, athletes complete a medical and are given the all-clear to continue the race. The route again ascends, gaining over 500m in just 3km over Balloch Wall. Runners must then navigate their entrance to Bridal Pass to reach the ridge line before doubling back for the final 13km of the race. Pushing himself to the limit, Greyling held on to take a third-place finish in 14:33:59 behind first-place finisher South African Sky Running legend, Lucky Miya, in 12:58:38, and Nepalese runner, Sange Sherpa, in second with a time of 13:56:20. 

Says Greyling following his podium finish, “There is always a curveball at SkyRun. Last year it was the heat and dehydration, and this year it was the cold and snow.  I’m finishing 2017 on a happy note. I’m grateful I could hang in onto third place after the snow-cave detour. Our bodies are amazing, but have limits, and I've tested mine. I am thankful to have finished this race without injury after a BIG year. Although it was not my BEST day, I was motivated to keep going by each runner who was going to be out there for hours longer than I was. A big thank you to an incredible world-class organisation, the farmers, supporters and seconds, and AJ Calitz for the 65km of camaraderie.” 

Results – SkyRun 100Men

1. Lucky Miya - 12:58:38
2. Sange Sherpa - 13:56:20
3. Christiaan Greyling - 14:33:59
4. Stewart Chaperon - 14:45:00
5. Hylton Dunn - 14:48:12
6. Gabriel Kriel - 16:57:32 

Women

1. Tracey Campbell - 19:26:58
2. Misty Weyers - 20:52:20
3. Kate Swarbreck - 21:54:49
4. Sophia Ndlovu - 22:58:09
5. Karen Behrens - 24:24:04
6. Wendy Arnott - 26:40:26

###  EDITORS NOTES

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Photo Credit: Bruce Viaene, Craig Kolesky

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EASTERN CAPE, GARDEN ROUTE - On Saturday, 28 October 2017, Tsitsikamma National Park on the Garden Route in the Eastern Cape was buzzing with the country’s finest trail runners, and a few international stars, gathering to do battle on the world-renowned Otter African Trail, a gruelling 44km race considered the benchmark of technical marathon-distance trail running.

Two of these athletes were Capetonians, Christiaan Greyling (Jeep/ Salomon/ Garmin), and Robyn Owen (Jeep/ Best 4 Sports/ Salomon). They were among 232 athletes all eager to stake their claim on the “The Grail of Trail.”

In both the men’s and women’s race, the terrain of the first section of the race favoured the technical runner requiring immense skill, speed and agility. Kane Reilly, top-5 Marathon de Mont Blanc finisher, took the lead ahead of Greyling by the first checkpoint, 20km into the race.  Despite the ensuing challenge from Reilly and Robert Rorich, whose speed had put them only minutes behind Greyling at the Bloukrans river crossing, Greyling held true to his current form and race plan, and took the lead with just 7km to go to take home his biggest win this year. He crossed the line in a total time of 04h13m15s, just under 12 minutes ahead of Reilly in second and Rorich in third, and breaking the South African record.  “I am blessed to celebrate winning the Otter African Trail Run in the fastest SA time ever - 4:13:15! I ran a race of no regret and gave my everything! Two years of Otter podium finishes and 4 years of working towards my personal goals.

This race taught me so much in life about goal setting, patience, discipline, hard work and faith. The Otter is a world-class event and a special trail to me. It was a privilege to run with my Salomon teammates Robyn, Kane, Meg and Thabang,” says Greyling. In the women’s race, Owen’s rock-running skill gave her a slight advantage holding the lead against her challenger, Meg Mackenzie. But the ever-improving Mackenzie took the lead and held a 4-minute advantage going into the last quarter of the race.

Owen held her own, but dropped off the pace slightly, finishing 8 minutes behind winner, Mackenzie. Third place went to Carla Van Huyssteen in a time of 05h34m44s. “What a weekend! I had a great run along the spectacular Otter Trail, and I am more than stoked to finish 2nd behind the new Otter African Trail Run Champion, Meg Mackenzie,” concluded Owen. 

Results

Men

1. Christiaan Greyling - 4:13:15
2. Kane Reilly - 4:25:00
3. Robert Rorich - 4:27:00 

Women

1. Meg Mackenzie - 5:01:08
2. Robyn Owen - 5:09:12
3. Carla van Huyssteen - 5:34:44 

### EDITORS NOTES 

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Trail runner Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team SA/Salomon/Garmin), after his recent Top 12 result in the 110km Ultra Pirineu, is back on home soil and ready for the coveted Otter Run, a race that is considered the benchmark of technical marathon-distance trail running. The 44km Otter Trail is regarded as one of the finest ‘hikes’ in the world.  Alternating East to west and west to east each year, this year, the event will be run from East to West, starting at Storms River Mouth Rest Camp and finishing at De Vasselot Camp Site, Natures Valley.  It includes four river crossings, over 2600 metres of elevation and eleven significant climbs along a relentlessly technical coastal route. 

Greyling, who has competed in the race five times, ran his first Otter in 2011, posting a time of just under 5h30m. Since then he has run the race almost 20 minutes faster each year, and this year he is believing big! “I believe I can do a sub-4, but I’m not sure when. Based on my run last year, I am aiming for 4h10m, but that all depends on my recovery and preparation over the past few weeks abroad.

I prefer the Classic, running from Storms River to Nature’s Valley, as I love the first technical section and will be able to maintain a good position among the speedsters,” said Greyling. Greyling will have a huge fight on his hands as the field is stacked with South Africa’s finest trail champions including Kane Reilly who earlier this year achieved a top-5 finish at the Marathon de Mont Blanc in the French Alps. Other top contenders are winner of this year’s 53km Merrell Whale of Trail Challenge, Rory Scheffer, and 2015 Skyrunning African Champ, Thabang Madiba.  

In the women’s race, defending champion and record holder, Robyn Owen (Jeep Team/Best4Sports) will have her work cut out for her as she competes against the likes of two-time winner, Landie Greyling, who is in great shape and capable of a 4h30m finish this year, and the ever-improving Meg Mackenzie who won the Hout Bay Trail Challenge.  Owen is in great shape though and is now competing full time as an adventure athlete. She has come leaps and bounds since last year and is stronger than ever. Owen for Gold.  The 2017 Otter African Trail Run kicks off on Friday, 27 October 2017, with registration and the prologue, a 3.5km time-trial run to determine seeding for the main event on Saturday, 28 October 2017. 

-- End --

EDITORS NOTES 

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Photo Credit: Terence Vrugtman| AdevtureLifeSA 

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This past weekend saw South Africa’s top trail running team, Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team/Salomon/Garmin) and Landie Greyling, embarked on an epic race through the Cantabrian Mountains in the north of Spain. Three stages, 98 km and almost 8000 metres of elevation gain stood between them and the finish line of the Riaño Trail Run in the north of Spain.  The first stage covered 29.9km from the start in Valverde de la Sierra to the finish in Boca de Huérgano.

The route ascended Pico Espigüete and continued along the peaks of the Natural Park of Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre. The Greyling’s finished the stage in a time of 04:36:03, crossing the line in 5th place overall and 1st in the Mixed Category.  In the men’s category, Antonio Valle and Manuel Picon (Team Selec. Andaluza CXM) crossed the line in first place in a time of 04:04:10; and in the women’s category, Angels Llobera and Gabriela Sanchez (Team Inverseteam) crossed the line in first place with a time of 05:38:46. 

Says Christiaan Greyling, “Day 1 involved a lot of super technical ascents and descents. It was very interesting racing from Peak to Peak.” Stage 2 started in Caín de Valdeón in the heart of Picos de Europa National Park. The 45km route featured spectacular mountain scenery and 4127m of elevation gain before finishing at Ermita del Pontón. The duo finished the second stage in 4th place overall and 1st in the Mixed Category with a time of 06:48:41, some 30 minutes ahead of the second-placed mixed team. 

Cody Lind and Martin Gaffuri (Team Scott Running) were the first team across the line in the men’s category with a time of 06:13:33; in the women’s category, first place again went to Inverseteam in a time of 08:23:28. Commented Greyling, “Running in Picos de Europa felt like we were part of The Lord of the Rings movie. It poured with rain all day, but every now and then it cleared up for a vista out of this world!” The third stage of the race from Salamon and to Riaño ascended Pico Gilbo, a characteristic slope resembling the Matterhorn of the Alps.  

Christiaan and Landie finished the 23km final stage in 02:40:15, once again crossing the line as the 1st mixed team.   In the final stage, Scott Running and Inverseteam took first place in the men’s and women’s categories respectively. The men’s team completed the stage in 02:26:25, while the women’s team finished in a time of 03:09:53. The Greyling’s completed the 98km race in 14:09:59, almost 40 minutes faster than the second-placed mixed team. 

Says Greyling, “We are wowed by what we experienced on the Riaño Trail Run. Gracias Riaño Trail for a super trail.” 

Results - Riaño Trail RunMixed Category

1. Landie Greyling/Christiaan Greyling - 14:09:59
2. Fátima Sanmartin/Sergio Pensado - 14:48:21
3. David Castán/Nuria Dominguez - 14:58:57

###  EDITORS NOTES

Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:  

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For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, FRANCE - The Grand Raid Pyrenees, now in its 10th year, attracted over 4000 athletes, who, despite the weather, raced the Pyrenean summits in the south of France.

The 2017 edition of the Grand Raid Pyrenees included 5 races: the 5-stage/114km Pyrenees Tour Trail Challenge, the 220km Ultra Tour, the 120km Tour des Cirques, the 80km Tour des Lacs, and the 43km Tour du Néouvielle. South Africa’s top Ultra-Trail athlete, Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team/Salomon/Garmin), and his wife and champion trail runner, Landie Greyling, tackled the technical Tour du Néouvielle along with almost 1400 other runners. The 43km/+2415m race started in the centre of Saint-Lary-Soulan, a ski village in south-western France, departing in the direction of Pla d'Adet, a steep climb frequently used as a stage finish in the Tour de France cycle race.  The runners climbed by roads and ski slopes up the Col du Portet mountain pass, and from there on past numerous lakes to reach the highest point in the race at Col de Bastanet at 2507m.  

The race crossed the Hourquette de Caderolles, along the Col de Bastanet and Col de Portet, and cresting Cap de Pède before the descent to the finish in Vielle Aure. Greyling finished the race in an outstanding second place in 04:26:28, eight minutes behind race winner, Jaouad Zeroual. Third place went to Frenchman, Adrien Tuffery, in a time of 04:34:18. Greyling’s wife, Landie finished 1st in the women’s race and 12th overall in a time of 04:56:47. Said a triumphant Greyling, “It was a successful day for the Greylings in France. Landie won the women’s race in 4h56m, and I finished 2nd in 4h26m. When I crossed the finish line, I had no idea that I'd worked myself into 2nd place; I was just happy to feel good on the day after being plagued by a stomach bug leading up to the race. The scenery was mind-blowing, the views were heavenly, and we are loving the experience of running in new places; the 2400m ascent was indeed a good test for the races to come this year!” 

Results - Tour du Néouvielle – FULL RESULTS HERE - http://chrono9.geofp.com/grp2017/v3/

Men

1. Jaouad Zeroual (MOR) - 04:18:23
2. Christiaan Greyling (RSA) - 04:26:28
3. Adrien Tuffery (FRA) - 04:34:18 

Women

1. Landie Greyling (RSA) - 04:56:47
2. Alexandra Cook (GB) - 05:51:02
3. Mélanie Gaudin (FRA) - 05:51:49

 ### 

 EDITOR’S NOTES 

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PIETERMARITZBURG, 1 August 2017 – Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team/Salomon/Garmin) took part in the 2-day, 3-stage, 60km Endurade JBayX in Jeffreys Bay on Saturday and Sunday, 22 and 23 July 2017 and got pipped at the post by six seconds after having an eleven-minute lead going into stage 2.  The unique Endurade JBayX entailed 3 x 20km trail runs, all starting 12-hours apart seriously testing the commitment and perseverance of all participants while showcasing the best scenery in the Jeffreys Bay area.The StagesThe first stage of the race started at 7:00am on Saturday. The route took runners along the beach, through Kabeljous Nature Reserve, Noorsekloof Nature Reserve, and a steady climb to the highest point in Jeffreys Bay.

Greyling finished the stage in first place in a time of 01:33:19.9. Stage 2, a night run, started at 7:00pm and saw runners complete two 10km laps from the Lower Point WinterFest Hub through the Kabeljous Nature Reserve and back. Geyling finished in second place in a time of 01:28:43.0. Stage 3 started at 7:00am on Sunday morning. The route from Zuurbron MTB Park back to Jeffreys Bay included the infamous ‘Mooidraai’ climb and was, for the most part, downhill for the last 10km. Greyling finished the stage in fourth place in 01:27:31.1. Overall, Greyling finished the race in second place with a combined time of 04:29:34.0, just six seconds behind the overall winner, Mvuyisi Gcogco. Rounding off the podium was Bradley Hyman in 04:39:36.1. Says Greyling, “Going into day 3 with a 11m39s lead maybe made me too relaxed! There were only seconds between 1st and 2nd after the third stage. In the end, it was a good training run, and I was pleasantly surprised by the exciting trails around Jeffreys Bay.” 

Results – 2017 Endurade JBayX 3-Stage Trail Run

Men Overall

1. Mvuyisi Gcogco - 04:29:27.8
2. Christiaan Greyling - 04:29:34.0
3. Bradley Hyman - 04:39:36.1 

Women Overall

1. Landie Greyling - 05:00:45.5
2. Tracey Campbell - 05:27:16.5
3. Arinda Pritchard - 06:02:50.1 

### OTHER JEEP TEAM NEWS Surfski – The Gorge Downwind ChampsThis past weekend saw Hank McGregor (Jeep Team) compete in the 22km Gorge Downwind Championships, a World Surfski Series Title Race, on the Columbia River in Hood River, USA.  McGregor, who missed the Canadian Surfski Champs on 15 July due to a chest infection, finished 7th overall and second in his category in a time of 01:37:09.64.  The race was won by Kenny Rice in 01:32:43.32; in second place was Sean Rice in a time of 01:33:18.04; and third place went to Jasper Mocké in 01:34:05.59. 

CURRENT WORLD SURFSKI SERIES STANDINGS

Men

1. Jasper Mocké (RSA) - 3490
2. Hank McGregor (RSA) - 3485
3. Dawid Mocké (RSA) - 3482 

Women

1. Hayley Nixon (RSA) - 2994
2. Teneale Hatton (NZL) - 2496
3. Michelle Burn (RSA) - 2000  

OCR – 300 OCR Race On 22 July, Jeep Team OCR athlete, Jay Jay Deysel, took part in the 300 OCR Sprint Race at 300 Obstacle Course in Vereeniging. The race was a 1.2km sprint featuring 15 obstacles. Deysel finished the course in 5m15s, earning him the top spot of the day.

###  EDITOR’S NOTES 

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Starting Tuesday 11 July and ending on the 16 July, Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team/Salomon/Garmin) is up against 28 other athletes competing in the 150km ‘Racing Madagascar Ultra Trail’ 2017. This 2nd edition of the Racing Madagascar Ultra Trail Race is taking place in the northern region of Madagascar in 6 stages over 6 days, starting at the Beomalona Waterfall and ending at the Diego Suarez Townhouse, Diego Suarez.  This is an annual race organised by Boogie Events, the sports branch of Boogie Pilgrim, a Malagasy Tour Operator who has been operating in Antananarivo for 30 years.

This special race is focused on 3 core values -  a Sporting Challenge - 150km running race in 6 days/6 stages of 20-20-27-42-28-10kms; it is a tourism discovery - the course is run along natural wonders of the northern region of Madagascar; and lastly, it promotes Sport Solidarity – the organisers collaborate with local offices such as Malagasy Athletics Federation and the Paralympic Federation.  Interesting facts about this race is that there are twenty-one Malagasy runners - 15 from the regional league of Diego Suarez, three from the national league, two from the Paralympic committee and one runner is sponsored by Boogie Pilgrim himself.

There are eight foreign runners: three from South Africa, three from the USA, one from Argentina, and one from Sweden. Athletes are made up of seven women and twenty-two men divided into six age group categories. From the 29 runners in this second edition, fourteen ran the 2016 race.   Local Elite athlete, Jacquis Justin, who finished only 15 minutes behind 2016 winner, Thabang Madiba (South Africa), will have two South African elites to compete against this year, Landie and Christiaan Greyling. Paralympic athletes, Revelinot (one arm amputee) and Zephirin Jimazava (Visually impaired) running their 2nd edition of this race.  

EDITORS NOTES 

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PIETERMARITZBURG, 30 JUNE 2017 – On 23 June 2017, South Africa’s top men’s trail athlete, Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team/Salomon/Garmin) raced the Marathon du Mont-Blanc 80km Ultra-Trail through the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France finishing 6th overall (4th in cat). Since its inception in 1979, the Marathon du Mont Blanc has grown, featuring 8 races over 3 days and attracting 10 300 registered runners representing 75 countries.

The Marathon du Mont-Blanc 80 Ultra-Trail race started at the Tourist Centre of Chamonix, at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps, and covered exactly 92.5km and 6000m of elevation gain.

The race is limited to 1000 participants and is one of the most technical and demanding ultra trail races in its category as it crosses an entire valley, traverses over summits with wet narrow paths, snowy sections, and the iconic Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve, all at an average altitude of over 2000m.  “What a rollercoaster day on one of the toughest Ultras I’ve ever done.

When you start out on an ultra-trail, you will always find something beyond the norm. You are broken down to a point where nothing is important anymore, and then you find yourself on top of this huge mountain, depleted, and wonder how you got there,”says Greyling.

Greyling, pushed hard throughout the race, gaining nine places from the start of his race to finish in 6th place overall in 12h17m42s – an impressive improvement from his 13th place finish in 2016.

First place in the 85.3km race went to Xavier Thevenard (France) in 11h03m05s; Clemente Mora Cristofer (Spain) in second in 11h16m55s; and in third place in 11h33m24s was Romain Berger (France). Greyling concludes, “I am super happy with 6th place finish in this unbelievable race. It is a great start to a new adventure in my life. In the end, it doesn’t matter what position you finish in, but rather the journey to get you there!”

Results – 80km Marathon du Mont Blanc

Men

1.Xavier Thevenard (FRA)               11:03:05

2. Clemente Mora Cristofer (ESP)   11:16:55

3. Romain Berger (FRA)                  11:33:24

4. Cedric Celarier (FRA)                  11:40:32

5. Gregory Vollet (FRA)                   12:06:38

6. Christiaan Greyling (RSA)           12:17:42 

Women

1. Mimmi Kotka (SWE)               12:59:51

2. Lucinda Bartholomew (AUS)  13:23:12

3. Ekaterina Mityaeva (RUS)      13:24:11

4. Landie Greyling (RSA)           13:31:14

5. Marianne Hogan (CAN)          14:36:40

6. Cecile Clet (FRA)                   14:39:38

###  EDITOR’S NOTES 

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PIETERMARITZBURG, 28 JUNE 2017 – On 23 June 2017, South Africa’s top men’s trail athlete, Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team/Salomon/Garmin) raced the Marathon du Mont-Blanc 80km Ultra-Trail through the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France finishing 6th overall (4th in cat).  Since its inception in 1979, the Marathon du Mont Blanc has grown, featuring 8 races over 3 days and attracting 10 300 registered runners representing 75 countries.                                    

The Marathon du Mont-Blanc 80 Ultra-Trail race started at the Tourist Centre of Chamonix, at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps, and covered exactly 92.5km and 6000m of elevation gain.  The race is limited to 1000 participants and is one of the most technical and demanding ultra trail races in its category as it crosses an entire valley, traverses over summits with wet narrow paths, snowy sections, and the iconic Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve, all at an average altitude of over 2000m.

 “What a rollercoaster day on one of the toughest Ultras I’ve ever done. When you start out on an ultra-trail, you will always find something beyond the norm. You are broken down to a point where nothing is important anymore, and then you find yourself on top of this huge mountain, depleted, and wonder how you got there,” says Greyling. Greyling, pushed hard throughout the race, gaining nine places from the start of his race to finish in 6th place overall in 12h17m42s – an impressive improvement from his 13th place finish in 2016.

 First place in the 85.3km race went to Xavier Thevenard (France) in 11h03m05s; Clemente Mora Cristofer (Spain) in second in 11h16m55s; and in third place in 11h33m24s was Romain Berger (France). Greyling concludes, “I am super happy with 6th place finish in this unbelievable race. It is a great start to a new adventure in my life. In the end, it doesn’t matter what position you finish in, but rather the journey to get you there!” 

Results – 80km Marathon du Mont Blanc

Men

1. Xavier Thevenard (FRA)             11:03:05

2. Clemente Mora Cristofer (ESP)   11:16:55

3. Romain Berger (FRA)                 11:33:24

4. Cedric Celarier (FRA)                 11:40:32

5. Gregory Vollet (FRA)                  12:06:38

6. Christiaan Greyling (RSA)           12:17:42 

Women

1. Mimmi Kotka (SWE)            12:59:51

2. Lucinda Bartholomew (AUS) 13:23:12

3. Ekaterina Mityaeva (RUS)    13:24:11

4. Landie Greyling (RSA)         13:31:14

5. Marianne Hogan (CAN)        14:36:40

6. Cecile Clet (FRA)                14:39:38 

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