Races & Results

UTD160 | 2024 | 21:01:01 | W + Record

Running is a Team Sport 🏁

Congratulations to everyone who participated, to those that rang their bells and to Matt and Tiaan for sharing the podium with me. This race was certainly challenging and I am stoked to have shared the course with so many athletes and friends. 

The Build-Up

Nothing beats having a plan. Ultra trail Drakensberg 100miler was one of the best races of my career so far. Last year I had planned to race the UTD100miler and unforeseen circumstances happened. As I calmed myself and accepted that it was not meant to be for 2023, I remember Helen Mills and I having a chat and deciding to downgrade to the 100km. FF to the beginning of this 2024 - the desire to run the 160 was bigger than ever. My Coach and I got to work training and I was very excited to confirm with Sue that I would be back in the drakensberg, better than ever.

My training build-up to the race was great, not perfect, but that's life. It may have not been smooth but the challenges we face daily as athletes and humans are what make us grow in determination and grit. You can't buy experience. 

Driving from JHB to the UTD venue (which was amazing) my mind was positive and the excitement of racing my first big race in 2024 and sharing the trails with top athletes made me feel like I was heading on a massive adventure - the outcome did not phase me. What a blessing it is to step out and be brave and trust others and be in nature. 

During the road trip I listened to music and had a good chat to my coach on the race plan “I don’t want to see you lead the race” - those words from Martin Crous were stamped in my brain and would really help make this a race to remember. 

I arrived at the race village with all my gear ready. The venue was incredible and the registration was a buzz of nervous and excited familiar faces, Happy to see Sue “So good to see you” and a couple of friends with everyone with big smiles wishing me all the best. In the back of my head I was thinking about all the guys I had spoken to for drop bag or seconding on route.  But I told myself if I don’t see anyone I have to adjust to the other plan. 

But all that changed soon as I saw Chiara. She was one of the people I had spoken to and had lost contact for a whole 3 weeks. The mood changed, little did I know that she had everything under control with ASICS. As soon as she said "I’m here for you" I knew she meant it. She had a whole full house of snacks, drinks, whole 3 course meal and accommodation sorted for me - that was a relief “What do you feel like eating I will buy it?” Chiara……… I told her KFC. 3 pieces of chicken and noodles. She had to call home to Alicia and ask what’s the secret with KFC “He needs to eat something solid, and KFC is what works for him”. 

Nutrition

This is a very important part of any training and race day. Some of the nutrition methods you use during training will be tested to the max, so I alwasy use what I know and test anything I want to use before a race, in a training situation. My watch played a huge role as I added my nutrition plan and drink notification every 20mins (drinking almost 200mls and eat every 45-60mins). At every aid station, the team was there with every single thing I needed ... and more!  This made my race better. My job was to just perform for the team; teamwork was the objective of this race. It's not easy to trust but when we made a collective decision en-route or I ate something that was prepared especially for me, it drove home our goal and gave me the confidence in myself to eat and drink more than I usually would have. 

Part of my nutrition included:

Kickass protein shake - 3 big sips every aid station before eating or drinking anything else.

• Revive unflavored sachet - in every bottle that has a race mix. This is truly a gamechanger.

• Red Bull mix. (Chiara’s magic mix - wow)

• Race food Bars - one bar every 60min 

• Popcorn, wine gums, biltong, nuts and raisins mix - something my taste buds were so greatful for during the final marathon distance - 42km (Darren’s magic mix)

• Buttanutt butter - super tasty and encouraged me to drink more water, especially needed later in the night

• 15 piece KFC bucket at the 70km aid station - this was a big surprise when I was expecting 3 pieces.

Race

06:00am Robbie, Chiara and I started the day with a send-off prayer in the morning and a team picture. This meant so much to me. 

Into the Shuttle we jumped - time to head to Lesotho Border. We arrived at 7:45am, the feeling of stamping my passport made this all feel very real! It was my second time stamping my passport through a African border, a very real and raw moment to take in. It was a bit of a chilly morning with the sun creaping onto Sani Pass. While we waited for the looming 9am race start, we sat chatting and keeping warm, we were in great company and you could feel the excitement and nerves. The moment the world seem to stop and I was a bit nervous, I would look around and take in a deep breath, I would let the gratitude overwhelm any feeling of doubt or negative self-talk. Being here, among these incredible athletes, with well wishes from around the world - this was my moment to go be awesome. All the long hours of sacrifice and training needed to mean something and I was determined for it be a positive race. 

Here we go, the race started. Breathe Admire. I kept remembering I wanted to stay behind and not rush it. 60km is still a long race “if you want to break - do it at 60km, I don’t want to see you lead the race” - Martin Crous was loud in my head. So I took in the sites and sounds and enjoyed the company of Grobler and Matt. In the first half, up in Lesotho we had Tiaan ahead of us. With mist covering the ground and the sun trying hard to give us some light, a horseman on his Basotho pony showing us the route; This is the kind of experience that will be very hard to forget. We had conversations along the way as if we were at a training camp. Relaxed. Greatful. It was special to have company and I enjoyed learning and sharing stories with the lads. We were racing, together.

 As we approached Aid Station one [Lesotho Border] In my head I knew I would meet Chiara at the next one [12 apostles] so the plan was to tag and go. As I entered and tagged, the race personnel said "Admire your people are here". Goosebumps. There they were, Chiara Darren and Robbie. I was so happy, I could not wipe my smile off of my face. We had a giggle about my eyelashes being frozen solid and Darren started repacking my vest as I tucked into the snack boxes and supplies on the back of his bakkie. As I ran off into the mist again and headed back into South Africa, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and gratitude. Endurance running can bring out the best and darkest corners of yourself; and racing in a team gave me a sense of belonging and belief that I had not experienced before.

So due to our plan and race predictions everyone was caught by surprise we were actually hours ahead of time. Grobler, Matt and I got to some places earlier than schedule. 

Running as a pack good company made the journey so easy to tackle second water point was sani valley road team was fired up got my supplies noodles one a cup, the special part of having seconds is you get in sit and eat whilst they help with loading up your bag because time is very important. The fast we can the quicker we finish the race. At this point the rain was approaching but I did not worry because the team had all my warm stuff ready for the night.  Back into SA side was great because I know some parts of this route from the previous 100km I had done and it’s very runnable and the confidence of running home is greater. 

Met my team around 70km I was welcomed by warm water in a bucket for my feet, kfc 15 piece bucket of chicken  good food and changing of shoes.  Now it was time to retire my ASICS FUJI SPEED to GEL TRABUCO 12 for the muddy sections and slippery gravel roads.  All this time the team was feeding me with information just to be aware of what’s coming also my suunto plus app had race companion on for race notes for me. It was a great day turning to a night.

At this moment the guys had picked pacers and would run for 40km. The best part was now the group is big it became more enjoyable so much jokes and chats shared. It was the best moments in company of the runners up until 110km. That time the team moral support was very high. Even though it was gashing with rain but my team made sure I’m warm, driving up and down washing my gear and shoes so I stay warm.  I had to change gear 6 times just to stay was  On this day I realized I also consumed a lot of food than I have ever did before.

Niggles-: I had moments I had small niggles but the way everything was unfolding it made me not feel any of that to the end.  I remember Darren saying now the plan has changed you doing well. Tried the plan and it worked but I realized it was too soon so I hanged on. The sad part is when we left Grobler behind he wasn’t feeling well so we moved slowly away.

Around 127 km Matt and I saw a porcupine and we stopped and took a video. I just prayed and knew 1 of us is going to have a lucky day if not both of us.  Porcupine is a sign of Luck.  right behind us we could still see our mate with ledlenser headlamp in a distance coming which was a good sign.

Now it was Matt and I pushing the course and see how we can go. Some points we would walk and run until the last 30km. Met the team and from here I would see them at Sani pass valley road which is the last 9km as Darren said but I knew it was not that long 

Going back we arrived at Cobam Matt and I sat there to have some soup as we take a bit of a breather but before we sip the warm soup we saw a head lamp coming down the hill, (TIAAN) we just went “ oops  Matt it’s time to go no more time for soup”

To the volunteers “Sorry guys thanks for the soup time is not on our side we got to go”

From the previous aid station the team had informed us Tiaan was 45min behind and we spent that walking some of the hills as he was catching up so from that moment we knew he’s strong and we got to go.  We left asap from there Matt and I panic and that’s when I had to decide to go and told myself from here on I have to run keep moving towards the sunrise.  There were challenges of some steep hills and at that time of running over a 18hours with the last 20km I just told myself I run 20km in this time so I’m sure with how I’m feeling I can get there at this time. 

Little did we know Tiaan was actually relived to stop at that aid station for his assistance too. So I ran and ran walked some parts and kept running. I fell 5 times in that process the relief was seeing the Sani pass valley aid station lights.  I was relived and happy knowing that I’m close to the finish.  Got down to the aid station and the team was happy that time I didn’t have any plans of stopping. I told the team Tiaan is coming no time for stopping I will manage the last km without food. And Darren said to me “ you have 9km to go and I want you to run 4:30/km see you soon we going to the finish.  To myself I said that’s the motivation I need but is it really 9km? after I just ran 3 km down I saw the ledlenser arch and flags in the light in a distance as the sun was also coming up slowly and I knew Darren was pulling my sock up so I used that. Ran and ran and ran until I saw a bukkie driving towards me as I was left with 2km and that was Spurgeon the race director he said Well done Admire just follow the boundary and turn left at the top and you will see the finish line  that became the best relief and happiness that it’s done the journey of 21 hours is done. During the last 20km my target was to get to the finish line ribbon in under 21hours but I managed 21:01:01 and the funny part was my race number was number 2 and I turned that to number 1.  But this day was a day full of lots of support and dedication from the team.  Putting together every single step of the way from Start  to the Finnish line it was a day full of happiness. I was also happy to see Matt come through as we had told each other that now time to keep positions and he definitely did his best. 

Getting to the ribbon and breaking it was on of my many dreams I have always wanted.  I remember having that conversation with Alicia and as I crossed the line I thought about her and said baby we did it. Thank you for being a pillar of strength and for knowing exactly what is need and giving the team the right direction.

The cheers at the finish line from the race stuff, families waiting for their loved ones still running and those who just came to cheer up for me was something I never expected. One touching moment was seeing the Underberg stuff the kitchen stuff coming down to congratulate me was touching. I remember the day before they were all saying we want you to win also Phindi Gule had a chat with me about race plan. And I carried with me all their warm wishes. Seeing Taryn from PIRATES ROAD RUNNING CLUB with a huge PIRATES 🏴‍☠️flag melted my heart. Pirates team has been in full support even in times when I was down, they gave a hand to lift me up.

From the Home affairs Officers wishing me the best taking pictures with them I had lots of voices in my head that helped me distract any weakness that could have come to mind.  I was full of joy. To the race organizers and volunteers thank you a million for everything. Seeing Sue emotional and Becky Leighton so happy it meant a lot to me.  And I couldn’t wait to call Alicia and share how my day and nightshift went  especially when I was thinking of her as I’m running and some of the words she normally say to me in a message whilst I’m training, I see them pop on my suunto watch “go baby go push to the limit”.

Thanks to Chiara and the team she put together, to Darren’s Mum for allowing Her son to come and spend a whole night with me.  Driving 784km  to make a dream come true for me I love you lots guys.  To Suzanne I still see your blue hoody jacket as you were taking me videos and photos you loaded me on your phone the whole day and night just following this journey I couldn’t believe all that unconditional love and time. To all the supporters dot watched at home, live track and live cheering your voices echored to me and carried me home I thank you. 

Lastly many thanks to all the BRANDS LEDLENSER, SUUNTO, GOODLIFE ORGANIC/KICKASS NUTRITION, REVIVE, REDBULL, RACE FOOD, ASICS, ASICS SOUTH AFRICA, BUTTANUT MILKS AND SPREAD, 30SOUTH, ZLAANT and to my Counching team MARTIN CROUS and Coach MITCH for all this to be possible. We do it and let’s do it again. Alicia ❤️ I can not thank you enough. 

>> A massive thank you to the incredible photographers for their time and talent:  @kelvintrautman, @zaczinn, @fahwaaz_c @kelvintrautman, @dangrinwis