Nelson Mandela Bay athletes joined forces with trail enthusiasts from across the country this past weekend at the 2024 K-Way SkyRun in Lady Grey, a legendary test of endurance set against the stunning backdrop of the Witteberg mountains.
Perfect weather conditions, a dazzling supermoon, and even a rare appearance by the region’s iconic bearded vultures added to the magic of this year’s race.
The flagship 100km event delivered an unforgettable showdown between Barkly East local Thato Kabeli and ultra-trail running veteran Douglas Pickard. Trading leads through rugged terrain, the duo crossed the finish line hand-in-hand at 12:44:08, both smashing their personal bests and earning spots in the elite sub-13-hour club.
“This race is like no other. Running at sunrise in these mountains is indescribable,” said Pickard. Kabeli, building on his second-place finish in 2023, shared his pride: “This is my home race, and breaking my coach’s record makes it even more special. Doug and I pushed each other every step—it was incredible to finish together.”
Reigning champions in other categories didn’t disappoint either. Simone Malan defended her 100km women’s title with a remarkable new personal best of 16:08:22. On the 65km course, Mjongile “Tonic” Masilo secured his third win, while SkyRun newcomer Jada Linstrom stunned in her debut.
Lady Grey’s SkyRun has become a bucket-list event for trail runners, and the camaraderie among athletes is unmatched. Local competitor Ana Sampson, who triumphed in the 38km race, summed it up best: “This race is a deeply personal journey—both overwhelming and inspiring.”
Race director Adrian Saffy hailed the event as one of the best yet: “The weather, the competition, and the spirit of adventure were unbeatable. Seeing athletes embrace the challenge—whether to set records or just to finish—truly embodies the SkyRun spirit.”
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