"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Thursday 25 November 2010

Sani Stagger Preview

I am off to the mountains on Friday to run the Sani Stagger Marathon on Saturday. This is an off-road marathon and said to be one of the toughest standard marathons in South Africa. The route is an out-and-back and is run on the famous Sani Pass between South Africa and The Kingdom of Lesotho.


We will literally run 21.1km from the bottom of the pass to the summit, turn around and run 21.1km back down. The Start/Finish is at 1566m (5137ft) with the summit at 2873m (9425ft). That is quite a climb!

Profile of the Sani Pass Marathon - Start/Finish at Sani Pass Hotel.
Everyone I’ve spoken to has warned me about the last 2km of the climb and I finally got this photo that shows it.

The final part of the pass to the summit.

That might well be a challenge, but I’m more worried about making a u-turn at the top and running down that again…ouch!

So I’ll be MIA for a few days to go visit and run in this beautiful place. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

31 comments:

ultra collie said...

wow johann what a novel race..13 up then 13 down..even splits? think not..look forward to your account..whats your strength..upping or downing?
good luck!

Char said...

Anything that has 'Stagger' as part of its name has to be a tough race. Good Luck!

Andrew Opala said...

you are amazing!

Good Luck!

KovasP said...

Fantastic looking course Johann, enjoy the weekend!

LMC said...

That course looks awesome, and scary! You are bold and daring to even attempt it!! Good luck. Hope you enjoy it!

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

Amazing!! Good luck!

Unknown said...

Have a great time out on that wonderful course!

4 Winds said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
4 Winds said...

Stunning country Johann, you are a lucky man! have a good race and take care.

Paul

Marlene said...

Oh WOW, that looks absolutely grueling. Good luck!!

HappyTrails said...

That looks incredible Johann - have a fantastic time and enjoy the tremendous challenge ahead! Really looking forward to the report on this one.

Jill said...

WOW!!! Those pictures are STUNNING!! You'll have to come to Colorado sometime and run the Pikes Peak Marathon with me (google it), would be a piece of cake for you - and what a blast we'd have!!

Good luck!!!

ajh said...

Wow! Will there be room for people coming down to pass those still going up? I can not wait to see the pictures. Have a great time as I know you will.

Giorgio said...

What a beautiful place to run!
Have a nice running weekend Johann!

Amy said...

Wow! that sounds incredible! I can't wait to hear all about how it goes - have a great time...and don't stagger too much or you might fall off a cliff!

Anonymous said...

Will be thinking of you - and looking forward to seeing your great photos on your return. Enjoy the experience and have fun.

Chris K said...

I agree with all of the other "Wows" posted here. That looks nuts. BTW, I was kinda teasing you about Western States and Badwater :-)

Jason said...

New follower of your....TY for following me.

That looks very daunting and FUN all at the same time.

I will agree with you on the turning around and going back down....quads will be screaming.

abbi said...

Good luck and have fun!

The Turtle said...

That looks crazy! Good luck.

Natalia said...

Now this looks really serious! Good luck, run strong and watch out for the boom slange.......sounds like this is going to be a terrific race. Enjoy and take some pics if you can! Mooi loop!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I think I just fainted

Thats alot of climbing on a bike, let alone on foot, WOW is all I can say

Good luck!!

Julie said...

Only you Johann!! You are going to love doing this race as much as I am going to enjoy reading the race recap and looking at your pictures:)

Mike said...

Sounds like an awesome race! Good luck. I like the fact that I have to look at a world map when I read your blog.

Alyssa said...

Can't wait to hear about this race! Good luck!

xoxo,
A

Christina said...

woo hoo! You start in 15 min. That is quite a hill.

Christina said...

Actually the clock must change based on the readers time zone. There is no way you're starting in 15 min. Hope you had/have a great run.

Molly said...

can't wait for the race report!!! : )

Black Knight said...

England - South Africa 11 -21. Man of the match: Du Plessis (???).....
I hope you ran a great race and you had fun.
Can't wait for the race report.

Patrick Mahoney said...

Wow that picture of the final pitch gave me vertigo. Looking forward to the details.

RunKathyRun said...

Wow, that course looks amazing, beautiful and hard - I can't wait to hear all about it.