Linda’s Bio

Sometimes the only way to catch your breath…
… is to lose it completely 


Twenty-nine years of running ultras has helped me grow. They’ve toughened, scared, exhilarated, humbled, and taught me how much there is still to learn about everything.
My running has taken me to incredible places in crazy corners of the world, enabled me to meet some fantastic people and experience magical sights.
There’ve been too many breathless moments to keep count – as many from the beauty I’ve seen as from the thin air gasped during those moments.
Running is my passion, my life, the very rhythm that pulses the blood in my veins.
For me, the mix of highs and lows, challenges and achievements are a microcosm of life being lived to the full.
Running is what blows my hair back, and makes me feel alive.

Running achievements

2020
Hout Bay Trail Challenge #RunYourOwn 75km non-stop  –  only finisher of full distance
Cederberg Traverse 65km  –  2nd woman
Triple Trouble 42km  –  1st woman

2019
13 Peaks Challenge, Cape Town (104km)  –  FKT for women’s solo (sub-23hr)
Vučko Trail 63km, Bosnia-Herzegovina           –   1st woman (6th overall)
Ultra-Trail Vipava Valley, Slovenia 50km         – 6th woman

2018
Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race (5-day stage race, India)   –  2nd woman
Cederberg Traverse 100km  – 1st woman (5th overall)
Triple Trouble 42km  –  1st woman

2016
The North Face Zagori Mountain Run 80km (Greece) –  5th woman
Richtersveld Transfrontier Wildrun  –  2nd woman
Addo Elephant Trail Run 100 Miler  – 1st woman

2015
Run The Rann 100 Miler (Gujarat, India)        –  1st woman (record), tie 2nd overall
Drakensberg Grand Traverse (214km non-stop)  –  63h33 (mixed record with Ryno Griesel)

2014
Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (7day 250k self-sufficient) – 1st woman, 6th overall
Tuffer Puffer 160km  –  1st overall (women’s record)
Fish River Canyon Ultra 100km  –  1st woman, 4th overall (women’s record)
Outeniqua Quest 108km  – 1st woman, 4th overall

2013
Racing The Planet: Iceland (7-day 250km self-sufficient)  –  2nd woman
Represented South Africa at World Ultra Trail Champs 75km (Wales)
Lesotho Wildrun (3-day stage race, 120km)    –  1st woman, 3rd overall

2012
Grand Raid de Reunion 100 Miler – 9th woman
Puffer (80km)  –    1st woman
Bastille Day Trail Run (35km) –  2nd woman
Hout Bay Trail Challenge (38km) – 2nd woman
Aussenkehr Desert Extreme (3-day stage race, 100km)  –  1st woman (record)
Addo Elephant Trail Run (83km)  – 1st woman (record), 3rd overall

2011
Sky Run (100km)  –  1st woman, 3rd overall
Namib Desert Challenge (5-day stage race, 250km) –  1st woman (record), 4th overall

2010
Trans-Alpine Run (8-day stage race, 310km, Europe) –  3rd mixed team (Ryan Sandes)
Sky Run (100km)  –  2nd woman
African-X Trail Run (3-day stage race)            –  1st woman’s team (Tatum Prins)
Midnight Hell Run (80km)  –  1st woman (record), 1st overall

2009
Sky Run (100km)  –  2nd woman
Puffer (80km)  –  1st woman
Triple Trouble (44km) – 1st woman, 2nd overall
Hout Bay Trail Challenge (36km)  – 1st woman
Midnight Hell Run (50km) –  1st woman (record), 1st overall

2008
Himalayan 100 Mile stage Race (5-day stage race, India)  –  2nd woman
Cape Odyssey (5-day stage race, 210km)       –  1st women’s team (Karoline Hanks)
Mont Blanc Marathon (France) – 6th woman

2007
Tuffer Puffer (160km)  – 1st woman (record)
Cape Odyssey (5-day stage race, 210km)     –  1st women’s team (Sylvie Mazurkiwitz)

2006
Tuffer Puffer (160km) –  1st woman
Hout Bay Trail Challenge (36km) – 2nd woman

ROAD ULTRAS
Two Oceans Marathon (56km) –  16 runs
Comrades Marathon (89km)  – 10 runs (best time 8:01, top 35 women)
Ironman (SA)  –  two