RACE REPORT: Addo Elephant Trail 100 Miler- Digging deeper than ever before by Paulo Veloza

One foot in front of the other… That’s what I kept on telling myself when I was deep into the pain cave.

The morning of the race, I woke up with nerves and excitement… And then nerves again but knowing that I had put in all the hard work to get to this point made me feel a little more at ease.

Final prep done, drop bag packed and away we go to registration. The atmosphere was electric as 70 brave men and women line up to tackle the mighty Addo.

The race began at 13h00 in the scorching heat (40 degrees) settling into a comfortable pace was easy as I had good company from the start. The first 10kms started on stone/gravel road towards the first checkpoint where you could see loved ones for the last time until the end of the race.

After topping up on water and food…the beautiful trail greenery finally started where I encounter some hills, but I don’t mind it so much because the views are spectacular. I take it slow and steady, knowing that I have a long way to go.

By the time I reach 40km at night-time, the temperature decreases slightly… with a thunder & lightning storm awaiting us. Running on top of the ridge with lightning striking all around me was one of the scariest/dumbest things I have done, but wow, it was breath taking at the same time.

The night brings a new set of challenges, including 30 something water crossings (including 2 massive strong river crossings with water up to your waist) blisters, stepping around puffer adders and a pack of jackals following your every step for a few hundred meters. But I am determined to keep going. I met some other runners on the trail, and banter was flowing for the rest of the race.

The sun rises as we reach the drop off bag mark (96km), this is where something as silly as brushing your teeth makes you feel like a new man. New shoes, shirt, socks and a hat change as well as some comfort food to keep me going till the end.

By 111km, I am feeling pretty beat up. My muscles ache, and I am struggling to maintain a steady pace as my feet are stuffed from the blisters. But I remind myself that I have come so far, and that every step is taking me closer to the finish line. I take a few more minutes at the aid station to rest and refuel before entering the dreaded “Valley of Tears”, an 18km section between aid stations with temperatures rocketing, massive spider webs around every corner and steep inclines that never end.

The final stretch from 135km is a mix of emotions. I am exhausted, fatigued, sore, but also excited to finish. I run through the pain and into the 2nd night as I start to hallucinate from time to time.

I had to dig deep, deeper than I have ever gone before… But the lights from the finish line race village comes into view, and I pick up my pace and energy. I cross the line, exhausted but elated, and receive my finisher’s medal (and ice-cold beer)

In the end, the Addo Elephant Trail Run 100-miler was an incredible experience. It tested my physical and mental limits and pushed me beyond what I thought was possible. But it also showed me the beauty of the nature, the strength of the human spirit, and the power of community.