I fell in love with road running in an amazing way..

I fell in love with road running in an amazing way but generally I get bored of repeating the same thing very easily. After comrades I knew I had reached boredom with the road. Mid July my feet were itchy and I decided to embark on #SoloAdvenutures where I find trail runs and do them alone. It became so easy to fall in love with trail. The Grape Run in Cape Town was the best.

In August I felt the need for something more challenging and remembered Lungi Nkosi inviting me to do Sani Stagger with her is 2017. I was keen but entries were sold out. Today I thank God for that. I loved the breath-taking scenic views, just my kind of adventure💃. 2019 was the best time to enter. A week before Sani Stagger I realised how brave was the decision to run such a monster and decided to put the efforts into good cause by running for Gomo. Acts of compassion and other motives why I run give me a reason to celebrate more than the number of races I do or medals I collect. Running is personal.

Run4Gomo is a campaign Justin started as an individual for his Comrades in 2017 with Gale's blessing and it has grown to a group of 100 runners with a heart for children with disabilities and it is an independent campaign. There is nothing like running Sani Stagger in South Africa. It is the most challenging race. The video and photos make it look easy that when you are there. My view is that it does not befit being categorized as a Comrades Marathon qualifier with the same measure as road races. This year 25 runners made it between 3:14 and 4:49 and only 2 ladies.

The start was 1km on wet grass🤣🤣. Within 5km the tar road ended. I reached the SA boarder post, made a short prayer, took a picture and moved on. The steep started. I was strong, moving very fast. When I started feeling drained I picked up a stick on the roadside (Moses' rod) hoping to part the red sea🤣🤣. At 14km the route was so steep that any attempt to run was short lived. I was still moving strong. Just before 18km a camera man was on the ground. He got so close to my crazy hair style which I only wear for Gomo and when I looked at the lenses of the camera I wept and prayed for Sokhana and Gomo. I had thought I'll say the prayer at the top of the mountain but the time had arrived.

Shortly after I passed him I had more strength. The altitude took away the oxygen from the air. Some runners sat down on the road side waiting for the bailer bus. I could breathe enough to move forward. Mpho had started widening the gap between us but took forever to finish 1.5 km loop, I did not understand. I was praying that she comes down with no injury. I had no intention of returning. The route is out and back. Thanks God she showed up. I gave her a tight hug and requested her to finish off with the Run4Gomo banner.

My big mistake was to look up at 2km to go😱; the mountain was literally vertical with a wendy house right at the top. Efforts up felt like steps backwards. All I cared about at that stage was to reach to top.

At 21.1 I was on 3:44 and the km mark said 20km. I reached the top which was 22km. It took 1h30 to crawl 6km. What an honour to make it the top.

I was so hungry and thirsty. I ate everything. Shahieda (Makhi) asked that we turn back as we had enough time. I looked down from the top, threw my eyes further to the lonely gravel, thought of the 4km with little oxygen and how legs feel after comrades down run and Kaapsehoop. I wished my friend all the best. My dream of running Sani Stagger was accomplished. I had received the halfway mark medal which was the most welcome surprise.

At Sani Stagger no one gets to the bailer bus crying, it's all joy and celebrations. Not everybody reaches the top and even those that do not reach the top get to the bus like entering a Christmas party.

I honour every warrior that takes the challenge whether they reached the top or finish line. It was indeed an extra ordinary #SoloAventure.

I encourage anyone willing to consider doing it. Finishing Sani Stagger is not impossible. It is a matter of decisions one has to make along the way. I am a proud JRAC runner and we have made it to the history of Sani Stagger. I know more of you will take the challenge in 2020 and you will bring 2 medals home.

Sorry to those who raised a concern about not being invited. It was a personal journey from July and Sani Stagger a personal dream since 2017.

I am thankful of the support from the +-100 Run4Gomo runners from different clubs who kept us motivated even though no one planned Sani Stagger as a campaign for Cerebral Palsy.

Green in this context is a colour for Cerebral Palsy. This green hair is crazy but I love it for Gomo😊.

Blessings to the new warriors going in 2020, Lucy, Ato, France, Tshepo, Victor amongst others. You will not regret the decision, it is worth it.

I dont know whether I'll run comrades and Sani Stagger again, only time will tell as my personal journey unfolds. 💚