Locals rock at George MUT

GEORGE NEWS - The inaugural 100km race in the Discovery George MUT was dominated by George locals, and three of the six podium places were filled by men and women from the Garden Route.

Trail running legend Bruce Arnett set the benchmark time for the new route on 12:40:59. He was followed by Brandon Hulley and then Robbie Rorich, while Lodelia Odendaal also claimed second in the women's ultra-marathon.

Hully's cousin, Rebecca Köhne, earned silver in the women's 25km event, while many Garden Route Trail Running community members took part or played a pivotal role in the success of the event.

Arnett was the star of the show from a local perspective, leading the 100km from the off. For 40km it looked like there may be a George double, as Odendaal led the women's race too.

Unfortunately, Tarrin van Niekerk surged past the Addo 100-Miler, winner in the second half of the course claiming the maiden crown.

"It was awesome, though there were a couple of tough sections. Tonnelbos on 100K legs… is a bugger," Arnett grinned, already reflecting positively on the Type II fun he just endured. "It's hard. But otherwise I felt super strong and am really stoked. The first time through Tierkop, after 40 kilometres, Robbie [Rorich] was right on me. The crew there said he was three minutes back. But I climbed well after that and I think he must have put too much in trying to catch me because the next time through Tierkop he was in third and Brandon [Hully] had moved into second."

Odendaal for her part was happy with her result, having given it her all out on the trail. "I must say I think this race has massive potential and a lot of big-name runners will find themselves humbled by this course," she noted from the Witfontein Forest Station.

"It's a very tough but exceptionally beautiful route. Zane Schmahl and the GRT trail builders have done an incredible job putting it together!"

The third George resident to secure a second position in the Discovery George MUT was eager to look ahead to the future. At only 19 years of age and still finding her feet in trail running, Köhne is a star for the future.

"I enjoyed the race," she said. "Though I knew going in that it wasn't really steep enough to suit my strengths. I'll be stepping up in distance from 20km races to marathon distance trail runs towards the end of the year, so I'm really excited for the challenges those will bring."

Simone Sharpe, a prominent George resident, was one of the many locals who took part in the 2022 George MUT. Photo: EL Rorke Photography