GEORGE NEWS - Nothing stands in the way of Bailee Nell (14), a Grade 8 pupil at Glenwood House School.
On 5 November, Bailee became (as far as is known) the youngest person to complete the George 6 Peaks FKT challenge in the Outeniqua Mountains.
It is held about three times a year and entails summiting six peaks in the Witfontein Nature Reserve surrounding George. These peaks are Vensterberg (1 247m), Losberg (813m), Cradock Peak (1 532m), George Peak (1 276m), Tierkop (766m) and Groenkop (606m).
Completing the challenge didn't happen overnight. In September, she became the youngest person to complete the 4 Peaks challenge, which totals a distance of 33km with 2 500m elevation gain.
Gruelling challenge
When the organisers saw how comfortably she completed the 4 Peaks Challenge, they gave her the green light to do the 6 Peaks FKT.
According to her father, Brett Vermeulen, this is rated by even the most avid trail runners as one of the most gruelling challenges, as the elevation gain for the distance covered is exceptional.
He said most hikers and trail runners usually only do one to two peaks at a time and few people can claim the 6 Peaks title.
The elevation gain for Bailee's run was ±3 085m and the total distance she covered for the challenge was 38,66k. Once she was done, she still had to run an extraction route of ±8,3km to get to a point where a vehicle could collect her.
Bailee completed her maiden 6 Peaks FKT in a time of 10:04. She also managed to clock times on some of the Strava segments, which ranked among the 30 best times recorded on this route. She achieved this at the tender age of 14 years and three months.
"What she achieved is truly remarkable. Most grown and mature runners would not be able to accomplish this feat, as it is not just physically demanding, but it drains you mentally. On the day she did her FKT, it was misty and raining most of the way, so the conditions were slippery and muddy and even more difficult to navigate. It also becomes disorientating on the mountains, as you can barely see in front of you," said Brett.
"What I admire about Bailee the most is the amount of training and effort she puts into everything she does, including her running and physical conditioning. In the build-up to this challenge she consistently clocked 50 plus kilometres a week of mixed running, more than two hours a week of spinning and she does her own Pilates/strength training most evenings before she goes to bed.
"She has run over 1 400km this year alone, which is more than most people would do training for the Comrades Marathon.
"This is with little to no input from anybody and 80% of her training she does on her own. She is so passionate and determined and absolutely loves being in the mountains and on the trails. I sometimes need to hold her back, as she doesn't have an off button."
Brett Vermeulen, Bailee and Rudolf van Wyk summiting the second peak, Losberg. Rudolf is a close family friend who often runs with Brett, and accompanies Bailee when Brett is away on business.
What do others say?
• Jacques Mouton: The George 6 Peaks FKT is a seriously tough challenge for even the most experienced ultra runners out there. Bailee, being only 14 years old, prepared properly for the challenge and built up the necessary experience required to responsibly complete the gruelling route. Not only is Bailee the youngest person to complete it now, she also had a very impressive time. She has a bright future in ultra distance running and we are excited to see what she achieves in the future. She is an inspiration to many and hopefully the young up-and-coming trail runners will follow in her footsteps.
• Rudolf van Wyk: I was lucky enough to have first-hand witnessed the transition of Bailee from average cross country runner to a next level all-inspiring mountain trail runner. Bailee started to join me and her dad's weekend excursions into the mountain in June this year. From the start. Bailee loved the mountain trails and showed that she has grit. no matter the conditions or challenge. Over the last couple of months through dedication and focused training she transitioned from a back-of-the pack runner to setting new trail running records. She has an amazing talent, but it is her dedication and passion that impressed me the most.
• Eddie Mouton: Wanneer mens Bailee vir die eerste keer ontmoet kan mens duidelik die liefde en passie vir die natuur in haar opgewonde stemtoon hoor. Die jonge dame laat niks in haar pad staan om die berge plat te draf en stap nie en nuwe avonture aan te durf nie, en dit op 'n jonge ouderdom van net 14 jaar. Sy is defnitief 'n voorbeeld vir ander jong mense sowel as groot, om die lewe en mens se passie volheid na te streef.
Dus was dit geen verrassing toe sy die jongste persoon geword het om die berugte 6 Peaks aan te durf en te voltooi nie. 'n Merkwaardige prestasie.
Vir die jonge dame lê daar nog 'n leeftyd van avonture voor en ons kan nie wag om te sien wat sy nog als gaan bereik nie.
Welgedaan Bailee! ONS IS TROTS OP JOU!!!
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