Glengariff resident Lucille van der Merwe has high hopes for the Wild Women on the Run 100km coastal run, which takes place for the fifth time early next month – she hopes to hang onto all her toenails.Van der Merwe, 42, is one of the founders of the unique annual event in which women, including lawyers, graphic designers and a gynaecologist, of varying ages and fitness levels, place aside their careers and families for four days to run from Glengariff to Mazeppa Bay.
Setting it apart from similar events is the fact that there is no competitive element to the run, and that the fitter women wait for stragglers and even run back to egg them on and help them forward.
Participants also collect thousands for two Eastern Cape charities.
“The first time I ran it I lost nine toenails and last year I got it down to one, so I hope to keep all my toenails this time,” said Van der Merwe, who, together with well-known extreme althlete and author Kim van Kets, 43, came up with the idea of the event while on a run five years ago.
Van Kets had just completed her headline-grabbing 6762km “Tri the Beloved Country” trip in which she ran, cycled and paddled around the perimeters of South Africa, and wanted others to enjoy the beauty of running along the Wild Coast.
Van der Merwe said she had always wanted to run the Wild Coast but was intimidated by “lycra-clad machines”.
“I am a slow, social runner. Other runners also said they were put off by race entry fees, so Kim suggested we do our own run.
“This is not a race, it’s a journey. We run all day and then sleep at hotels where we drink champagne, swim in the pools, pop each other’s blisters, massage our sore bits and basically medicate one another. It’s hugely a bonding experience.”
On Friday March 4, 26 women clad in pink “Wild Women” T-shirts will trot eastwards from Glengariff early in the morning. They have been training together for some time.
On Monday evening, after using their muscle power only to negotiate much tough terrain, rocky shoreline and many river crossings, they will arrive in Mazeppa Bay.
Van Kets is super-fit, others have done the Comrades, but some, like the asthmatic Van der Merwe, trundle along.
“The Comrades runners run ahead, but wait for us at the rivers and krantzes and sometimes run back to fetch us slower girls,” she said.
It is this spirit of women-power and support that makes Van Kets look forward to this race every year.
“It may not be hard for me, but it is very, very tough for some and they have to dig deep because it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done.
“This run is amazing for me because I get to share my passions for running, the Wild Coast, girl power and helping others.”
The wild women, who are supported by one husband in a vehicle, normally run about 90km, but this year have added inland sorties to their route.
“We want to run 100km and raise 100k,” said Van der Merwe.
All money raised from sponsoring the women will be divided between Busfare Babies in Hamburg and African Angels school near Chintsa.
“We have the blessing of running the race, so we pay it forward by helping women and children.”
lFor more information call Lisa van Wyk on 072-697-0604. —
barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Wild Women on the Run to tackle 100km
Van der Merwe, 42, is one of the founders of the unique annual event in which women, including lawyers, graphic designers and a gynaecologist, of varying ages and fitness levels, place aside their careers and families for four days to run from Glengariff to Mazeppa Bay.
Setting it apart from similar events is the fact that there is no competitive element to the run, and that the fitter women wait for stragglers and even run back to egg them on and help them forward.
Participants also collect thousands for two Eastern Cape charities.
“The first time I ran it I lost nine toenails and last year I got it down to one, so I hope to keep all my toenails this time,” said Van der Merwe, who, together with well-known extreme althlete and author Kim van Kets, 43, came up with the idea of the event while on a run five years ago.
Van Kets had just completed her headline-grabbing 6762km “Tri the Beloved Country” trip in which she ran, cycled and paddled around the perimeters of South Africa, and wanted others to enjoy the beauty of running along the Wild Coast.
Van der Merwe said she had always wanted to run the Wild Coast but was intimidated by “lycra-clad machines”.
“I am a slow, social runner. Other runners also said they were put off by race entry fees, so Kim suggested we do our own run.
“This is not a race, it’s a journey. We run all day and then sleep at hotels where we drink champagne, swim in the pools, pop each other’s blisters, massage our sore bits and basically medicate one another. It’s hugely a bonding experience.”
On Friday March 4, 26 women clad in pink “Wild Women” T-shirts will trot eastwards from Glengariff early in the morning. They have been training together for some time.
On Monday evening, after using their muscle power only to negotiate much tough terrain, rocky shoreline and many river crossings, they will arrive in Mazeppa Bay.
Van Kets is super-fit, others have done the Comrades, but some, like the asthmatic Van der Merwe, trundle along.
“The Comrades runners run ahead, but wait for us at the rivers and krantzes and sometimes run back to fetch us slower girls,” she said.
It is this spirit of women-power and support that makes Van Kets look forward to this race every year.
“It may not be hard for me, but it is very, very tough for some and they have to dig deep because it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done.
“This run is amazing for me because I get to share my passions for running, the Wild Coast, girl power and helping others.”
The wild women, who are supported by one husband in a vehicle, normally run about 90km, but this year have added inland sorties to their route.
“We want to run 100km and raise 100k,” said Van der Merwe.
All money raised from sponsoring the women will be divided between Busfare Babies in Hamburg and African Angels school near Chintsa.
“We have the blessing of running the race, so we pay it forward by helping women and children.”
lFor more information call Lisa van Wyk on 072-697-0604. —
barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos