Conquering giants
Embarking on the ultimate adventure, Devin Paisley takes on the Drakensberg's majestic peaks at the Giants Cup Trail Run
The It's not about who crosses the finish line first, but rather enjoying the trails with likeminded runners.
The past few years have been tough. I closed my business, endured the pandemic, and went through a divorce. Fortunately, I discovered an emotional coping mechanism - running. Running reduces stress, helps with anxiety, improves mood, boosts self-esteem, enhances focus and offers a greater sense of connection to nature. I first heard of the Giants Cup Trail Run (GCTR) from my partner, who I met while photographing another event in the Drakensberg.
This speciality event offers the chance to run the full 62km distance over just two days
The GCTR is one of many unique running experiences organised by Spurgeon Flemington of Running Man Adventures, a dairy farmer and runner passionate about sharing his backyard. The GCTR is not a race but rather a 'boutique two-day running and hiking event' that's non-competitive and emphasises the fun aspect of spending a weekend in the mountains. Named after the area's iconic Giants Cup rock formations, the trail is usually hiked over five days, and this speciality event offers the chance to run the full 62km distance over just two days.
With entries limited to just 100 runners, the race has fostered a field of regulars who return annually to take on the pristine trails in the company of fellow fanatics. This is partly due to the excellent value the event offers, where included in the entry are three nights' accommodation at the Premier Resort Sani Pass, meals, shuttles, a substantial goodie bag, massages and drinks at the finish line each day, as well as contributions to local NGOs. Road tripping from Cape Town to the Underberg, I stopped over in George for a trail run there, and watched my mom complete the 25km as my girlfriend dominated the 10km.
Continuing our road trip, we visited friends in the quaint town of Somerset East; they own and run a leather and saddle-making business called Faber Collective. We then followed one of my favourite routes through the Eastern Cape along the R56. As we approached Ugie, we began winding through the foothills of the Drakensberg's Great
Escarpment, and the snowy peaks emerged in the distance. Day one of the GCTR started at Bushman's Nek Resort with frost on the ground and minus-one-degree temperature. Setting off at 8.30am, a group of 26 runners started straight into a climb that taught us a lesson in altitude.
As a Capetonian, I tend to be quite smug about our mountain
The Drakensberg took my breath away, literally, and my pace soon slowed to a walk. The GCTR is not about how fast you go but rather the experience of enjoying the mountains in great company. Carrying my camera also slowed me down enough to admire the views. Halfway, the Swiman Hut aid station offered home-baked goods made by Spurg's wife, Catherine, and other delicious treats. Manned by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, one of the race beneficiaries, their mandate is to develop and promote protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal and their GTCR funds are used to maintain the hiking trail and huts along it, as well as building and repairing footbridges over rivers and promoting tourism in the area. Continuing along a plateau, it was then time to engage low range for the last big climb of the day, up and along the dramatic Garden Castle Ridge, with vultures soaring overhead, before dropping steeply down past the quaint
Winterhoek huts to finish at CastleBurn farm. Here, a lunch feast was set up next to the Mzimkhulu River, where runners and hikers lounged lazily, massages were on offer and runners soothed their weary feet in the cool river. This is what all finish lines should be like. Day two started at CastleBurn farm, with the Drakensberg demonstrating its dramatic weather by sending us off in a howling berg wind, 18 degrees warmer than the day before. Now I'm not a typically competitive person, but GCTR brought out the competitor in me. I had adjusted to the altitude and felt a little race itch in my feet, and wanted to see if I could keep up with the leading runner, Neil Cable, whose tractor-like uphill ability is matched by putting down a solid pace on the flatter stuff. Compared to the more technical surfaces in the Cape, the Berg trails are smooth as butter and I glided towards the first aid station at Mzimkulwana Hut. Hosted by Wildlife ACT, another beneficiary of the GTCR, this funding helps.