~ musings and meanderings
about all things trail ~
Rockhoppin’ Trail
about Linda Doke
Three decades (plus) of ultra-distance running began with a chunk of years on tar (incl 10 Comrades, 16 Two Oceans) and followed with more than 25 years of trail, racing through canyons, on beaches, deserts, islands, glaciers, salt flats, over mountains, escarpments and peaks. Nine years ago I began coaching, passing on the ultra-running lessons I’ve learned to help others seeking to reach beyond their comfort zones discover their full potential.
PUFfeR 2012
What do you get if you cross a windswept, soggy but enthusiastic trail runner with 78km of running from Cape Point to the V&A Waterfront? A PUFfeR 2012 competitor, of course! Last Saturday was the 18th running of the Peninsula Ultra Fun Run, better known as the...
Get set for Skyrunning in SA
Me soaking up the exquisite view of the Valais Alps above the village of Zinal, Switzerland It’s time to spice up South African trail running a tad. It’s time for some Skyrunning – that’s where earth and sky meet. We’ve got it all in this beautiful country of ours –...
Sierre-Zinal 2012 – a South African perspective
The 39th running of the iconic Sierre-Zinal yesterday was a fantastic experience, and it was an exciting privilege to be a part of it. And, crazy as it sounds, to be the first South African ever to do the race! As I'd been warned, the route was a real leg and...
Hobnobbing with alpine elite on the eve of Sierre-Zinal
I'm in the village of Zinal in the heart of the Valais Alps, Switzerland. It's quintessential Swiss style and scenery here - traditional wooden chalets adorned by red geranium window boxes, the tinkling of cow bells from the mountainsides, cool crisp alpine air, and...
HBTC 2012
Race winner William Robinson making the Karbonkelberg descent look easy Last Saturday was the 11th running of my favourite local race, the Hout Bay Trail Challenge. What makes it my favourite? That’s easy – it’s special: not only because it’s another reason (if I ever...
Aussenkehr Desert Extreme 2012
Place 35 eager runners in the desert. Add much enthusiasm, comfortable accommodation, a hearty spread of good food, and an open bar. Leave to brew. Stir in medium distances, liberally laced with looming canyons, generous technical trail, stark landscapes, and vistas...
Farewell The TAR-k Side, hello Trail
That's 89.3km done and dusted, and I’ve completed my long run to freedom – it’s g’bye T*R for me, ahead lies the running I want to do, that I love to do. Trail’s like that, it gets into your blood, it makes you look at rocks, waterfalls, mountains and vistas through...
South Africa’s own Tarahumara
Real Tarahumara Indians Did you know, the Garden Route has its very own Tarahumara Indian? Well, practically... ok, not quite. He's not Mexican, he doesn't live in a canyon or have to run around the wilderness for days looking for food. But he does...
Two Oceans, the world’s most beautiful marathon
Cape Town weather struts its stuff every Easter Saturday for the Two Oceans Marathon, usually with sunshine and wind. Yesterday it showed its mischievous sense of humour - the skies pee'd down good and proper, drenching all Half and Ultra runners to saturation. (The...
Addo Elephant 82km Trail Run
Last weekend I indulged in 9 hours of semi-hedonistic euphoria. I guess non-runners would think I’m loony if I tried to explain them to why. I think only you trail running junkies will understand.I guess the grin I had on my face for most of the 82km said it all – it...
~ explore a world of trails ~









