George locals looking for home ground advantage

TRAIL RUNNING NEWS - The Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB®, or George MUT as it was formerly known, takes place this weekend. The fifth edition of the festival of trail running sees the addition of a 100-Miler race, which will be headlined by Ryan Sandes.

It will also once again provide the opportunity for George’s trail runners to showcase their talent against some of the country and world’s top athletes.

The city’s rising global trail running star, Rebecca Kohne, is the George local the hometown crowds will be most eager to see in action.

The 20-year-old has already notched up a victory in the UTMB World Series; winning the 21-kilometre race at the Istria 100 by UTMB, in Croatia on 16 April this year. In 2022 Kohne was second to Lijan Burger [née Van Niekerk] in the 25-kilometre Challenge distance at the MUT by UTMB. This time out she will be stepping up in distance to take on the Marathon.

Kohne will have to overcome one of South Africa’s premier marathon distance trail runners, and the 2021 Otter champion, Bianca Tarboton; as well as Mia Uys, and Kristen Heath.

“Having MUT by UTMB, opens up a lot of opportunity for us local trail runners,” Kohne smiled, when asked what the impact of her hometown event joining the UTMB World Series would be.

“Qualifying for the UTMB Final in France at the end of the year is almost every keen trail runner’s dream. Having a local race makes it just that much easier to try and live up to our dreams.”The trails through the Outeniqua Mountains provide a world-class playground for trail runners. Photo by Zane Schmahl.

Other George residents who are favourites for the weekend include the defending 100-kilometre race champion Bruce Arnett and Julius de Clercq (Marathon).

York High graduate but now Cape Town resident, Colleen Browne will be racing the 100-Miler and knows the mountains particularly well; having completed a double George 6-Peaks Challenge in December 2021.

The local with arguably the most George trails knowledge however, is Brandon Hully. Having placed second to Arnett in the inaugural 100-kilometre last year he is stepping up to race the first MUT by UTMB 100-Miler in 2023.

“Brandon has been guiding and chaperoning visiting trail runners on their recces of the MUT route,” praised race director Zane Schmahl. “He really exemplifies the George Trail Running community’s welcoming spirit, which along with the incredible natural beauty we’re blessed with here in the Garden Route, has helped make the race the success it has become!”

Trail running fans are encouraged to come and cheer on their local favourites and the visiting runners throughout the event. The race village is located in the Witfontein Forest Station, at the base of the Montagu Pass and aid stations, like the one for the 100 kilometre and 100 Miler at the George Dam are also spectator points.