In November, PT’s Head of Creative Jada Linstrom, a supremely talented runner in her own right, took on SkyRun – a 65km trek through South Africa’s Witteberg Mountain Range.
As the sun rose over the Witteberg Mountains, I knew this race would be a test of more than just endurance – it was a test of spirit. Having tackled the Mont Blanc Ultra Trail before, I was no stranger to challenging terrains, but the SkyRun 65km offered something uniquely raw. The wild, untamed beauty of South Africa’s peaks and the self-supported nature of the race took me to the very edge of my limits – and beyond.
The SkyRun is unlike any race I’ve ever run. There are no comforting course markers, no aid stations around every corner. It’s just you, your pack, your GPS, and the trail. The atmosphere at the start was electric, and as the day began, we all knew that this was more than just a race – it was an adventure in the purest sense.
We all knew that this was more than just a race – it was an adventure in the purest sense
I tried to take the first third of the race very easy as I knew that going out too hard would catch up with me in the last third. Just after the first aid station I spotted a Bearded Vulture, which was a lifer for me and just motivated me to keep pushing so that I could tell my dad at the only aid station in the race.
I was mindful that the altitude, with peaks nearing 3000m, might impact my performance. Fortunately, I didn’t experience any altitude-related issues, which was one challenge I was relieved to avoid. However, navigating unfamiliar terrain brought moments of uncertainty, leading me to adjust my route several times. As a result, I ended up covering some unnecessary extra kilometers.
One of the race’s most beautiful aspects was the isolation. Unlike other ultra trails, where you’re often surrounded by fellow runners, the SkyRun gives you moments of solitude, where it’s just you and the raw, wild terrain. These moments were where I found my strength, digging deep to push through fatigue and soreness, reminded of why I love these challenges.
Midway through the race, the terrain grew even more demanding, with rocky outcrops and narrow ridges that pushed both my physical and mental limits. The rising heat and increasing wind added to the challenge, making the descent from Avoca Peak particularly tricky. As someone who’s not fond of extreme heights, navigating the exposed ridge was a nerve-wracking experience, definitely not for the faint-hearted!
The camaraderie among runners is what makes races like this special. Whenever I crossed paths with another participant, we exchanged knowing glances, brief words of encouragement, or sometimes just a smile. We were all in this together, yet each of us was experiencing the race in our own way, testing our individual limits.
I had a brief but uplifting reunion with my folks at the only aid station in Balloch, which became my greatest motivator during the race. Seeing how proud and excited they were for me to finish strong gave me a much-needed boost to keep going.
We were all in this together, yet each of us was experiencing the race in our own way
As I approached the final descent into the Wartrail Country Club, exhaustion washed over me. Crossing the finish line was an incredibly special moment, made even more memorable by the cheers of everyone as I became the first female finisher and seventh overall. It was an overwhelming experience, but one that felt truly rewarding.
SkyRun isn’t just a race; it’s a journey of self-discovery, a reminder of the power of the human spirit when faced with nature’s raw beauty and unforgiving terrain. This year’s SkyRun 65km will stay with me forever—until the next adventure calls.
Here’s to many more mountains to climb and many more paths to explore.
