KALAHARI AUGRABIES EXTREME MARATHON 2009
This year was the 10th edition of the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon,
the 2nd oldest 7 day staged foot race, with participants covering a total
of 237km over six stages in seven days. It was the biggest field the event
has had, with 73 participants from 12 countries. The temperatures were in
the upper 30 degrees, a good 10 degrees C lower than normal, and 70 of the
73 starters finished KAEM2009.
Dirk Cloete from South Africa finished in a total time of 22:02, with Bruce
Arnett from SA coming in second in 22:34. Rhodri Darch from Wales came in
third in 23:52. In the ladies section, Mimi Anderson from the UK and Jo
Mackenzie from South Africa came in together in first place and 10th
overall in a time of 27:06. Third in the ladies section and 19th overall
was Anne Wade from the UK.
Marc Smith and Deon Rossouw ran from Cape Town to Augrabies ? 700km in
7days, arriving on Friday and starting the 237km event with the rest of the
field on Sunday to raise awareness and funds for autism and Horizon Farm
Trust.
Bruce Arnett and Flip Jurgens both ran twice before and both won the times
they ran; Flip in 2000 and 2002 and Bruce in 2005 and 2006. Blind
adventurer Geoff Hilton-Barber with his guide Kobus Cronje completed the
event in an overall time of 59:26. It is the 6th KAEM that Geoff has
completed. 65yr young Anne Centner completed the event for the second
time, being the oldest person to finish in the history of the race. Lee
Capper crossed the finish line carrying a banner asking his fiancé to marry
him.
The French contingent known fondly as Le Petit Paris finish with huge
smiles. Veteran multi-stage trail runner Gerard Verdenet, completed the
event for the 3rd time and Joel Buchot his second KAEM. Alex Stuart from
Australia, winner in 2008, couldn't make this year's race due to work
commitments but said he is back to defend his title in 2010.
Queries have been raised regarding next year's KAEM and South Africa
hosting the 2010 World Cup Soccer. There will be no clashes with dates, as
the World Cup Soccer activities finish by the end of July, two months
before the start of KAEM2010. Entries will be opening early in November
for KAEM 2010 and will be limited to the first 100 entries received.
For full details of the results, article, videos and photos of KAEM2009, go
to
www.extrememarathons.com/augrabies
See you at the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon 2010!
Nadia, Estienne and Simon
cid:156340810@29072008-13B5
Extreme-Marathons, P.O. Box 2811, Mossel Bay, 6500, South Africa,
Tel: +27 (0)44 690 3420, Mobile: +27 (0)83 309 7755
Fax: +27 (0)86 609 7755 & +27 (0)44 690 3420
Email:
[email protected]
Skype: nadia.arndt
Website:
www.extrememarathons.com
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by southernsoftie
. A relatively inexpensive way to kill myself.
