Running Wild
Running Wild
In the canvas of Namibia’s rugged landscapes, where nature paints with bold strokes, running transcends mere physical activity to become an odyssey of exploration, solitude, and exhilaration. As adventure travel burgeons, demanding immersive experiences, Namibia stands as an unparalleled playground for those seeking to connect with nature on a profound level. It goes beyond conventional sightseeing and allows individuals to connect with nature on a deeper level, fostering a sense of appreciation and respect for the environment. One of the purest forms of adventure travel is found in the trails that dot the varying terrain of Namibia. Here you will find that the allure lies in the opportunity to explore unknown territories.
Text Kirsty Watermeyer
From the Spring 2024 issue
Discovering the beauty of Namibia on foot
with Kirsty Brits
Kirsty’s passion for running transcends mere speed: it is about embracing the challenge of distance. Her journey as a runner commenced eleven years ago, leading her to conquer numerous marathons, including the legendary Comrades Marathon. With nine Comrades marathons already under her belt, Kirsty now sets her sights on surpassing the coveted mark of ten completed Comrades. Remarkably, she is also a two times ladies champion in the Backyard Ultra marathons hosted in Uis, where runners finish continuous loops until only one remains.
Kirsty recounts how her running has exposed her to adventures most can only dream of. “I have had so many amazing opportunities to run in places that many people would never think of. We have run where you can hear lions roaring, found fresh leopard tracks and came across a fresh leopard kill in the Ais Ais Hot Springs Game Park. The best part about running is that you can do it just about everywhere – all you need is shoes.”
In 2020, amidst the upheaval of the pandemic, Kirsty embarked on one of her most adventurous runs yet: seven marathons in seven days across Namibia’s pristine terrains. “I had the biggest adventure on our third marathon at Klein Aus Vista when we took a “little detour”, which got us 60 km off course, without water. Luckily we were found and our adventure continued. Undeterred, Kirsty and her companions pressed on, awe-struck by the untouched beauty surrounding them.
Namibian adventure runner Kirsty Brits enthusiastically praises the untamed beauty of Namibia’s trails, a sentiment echoed by many who have ventured into its wilderness. “I love running in the desert,” Kirsty enthuses, her eyes alight with the memories of stark open plains and the magic of sunrise over shifting dunes. “The need to carry your own water, the absence of people and cars. Every hue of colour that your mind can imagine – it’s magic.”
Namibia beckons with a plethora of trail running choices, from winding paths around dolomite outcrops to challenging ascents up desert dunes. Kirsty’s passion for the mountains is palpable as she describes the fast and exhilarating single tracks that crisscross the country. Each run offers a sensory experience – the crunch of the ground underfoot, the symphony of wildlife and the caress of desert winds on your face.
“Each run offers a sensory experience – the crunch of the ground underfoot, the symphony of wildlife and the caress of desert winds on your face.”
Kirsty points to the changing landscape of tourism, with a shift towards adventure-based travel, especially among families seeking active experiences. “Most lodges have marked trails. I have seen the type of traveller change: people do not want to lie at a pool anymore, they want adventures. When you spend so much of your holidays driving long distances and perhaps overeating, heading out on the trails can shake things up and give you a special perspective of our incredible country.”
Namibia, with its vast expanses and diverse terrains, offers a trail runner playground unlike any other. Whether traversing desert plains or scaling rugged mountains, every run is a communion with nature. “In Namibia we have amazing safety and are still able to run almost everywhere. Obviously, one must be cautious in bigger cities, but when we explore slightly off the grid, with a pack full of water, the only limit is yourself,” Kirsty believes.
The burgeoning trail-running community reflects Namibia’s growing reputation as a haven for adventure seekers. With trails crisscrossing the country’s lodges and wilderness areas, the possibilities for exploration are endless. As Kirsty says, “it is an incredible way to truly experience the surroundings.”
To those considering trail running in Namibia, Kirsty is eager to share her passion. She is offering an invitation to embrace the freedom of the open trails. “Trail running is about space. It’s about the challenge. It’s about being somewhere where people cannot get by car. It is all about your mind, your breathing and your escape. With stress and pressure in our daily lives, it is a means to break away and forget everything!”
In the heart of Namibia’s wilderness, where every run is a communion with nature, and every step is a testament to the beauty of our planet’s wild places, the spirit of adventure awaits.
Lace up your shoes, heed the call of the wild – and remember to pack water.
GETTING YOU STARTED – TIPS FROM A SEASONED RUNNER:
- Pack your shoes and make sure you have water and snacks.
- Link up with a local running club. You will find one in most towns. They are generally incredibly helpful and friendly.
- Try a race. There are many options available across different landscapes at varying levels of skills. Find them on social media or running apps.
- Look for trails on the various apps available.
- On the trail, take the time to appreciate the space and quiet.
- Always be ready for that once-in-a-lifetime photo!
Exploring Namibia's ultramarathons
with Hannes Smit
From the rugged terrains of mountain trails to the expansive stretches of desert landscapes, ultramarathons offer a unique blend of physical challenge, mental fortitude and unparalleled camaraderie. Nowhere is this more evident than in Namibia, a land of stark beauty and untamed wilderness that has firmly established itself as a premier destination for ultramarathon enthusiasts. As the appeal of wild running continues to captivate adventurers around the globe, Namibia stands as a beacon of opportunity, offering a myriad of elite races that push participants to their limits and beyond.
From the rugged terrains of mountain trails to the expansive stretches of desert landscapes, ultramarathons offer a unique blend of physical challenge, mental fortitude and unparalleled camaraderie. Nowhere is this more evident than in Namibia, a land of stark beauty and untamed wilderness that has firmly established itself as a premier destination for ultramarathon enthusiasts. As the allure of wild running continues to captivate adventurers around the globe, Namibia stands as a beacon of opportunity, offering a myriad of elite races that push participants to their limits and beyond.
Namibia plays host to a variety of prestigious ultramarathon events, each presenting its own set of challenges and rewards. The RacingThePlanet Four Deserts series, for instance, takes participants on a journey through some of the world’s most extreme environments, including the Namib Desert in Namibia, the Gobi March in Mongolia, the Atacama Crossing in Chile and the Last Desert in Antarctica. Recently, the conclusion of the Namib Race 2024 tested participants against the breathtaking yet punishing Namibian landscape. The 2021 champion, Robert Ripley, described it as the most beautiful and unforgiving in the world.
BeyondtheUltimate presents a Global Race Series, featuring extreme events like the Desert Ultra, Ice Ultra, Jungle Ultra and Mountain Ultra, each designed to push runners to their limits across diverse terrains. The Desert Ultra takes place in the Namib Desert in November, starting at Spitzkoppe mountain and racing over five days across the world’s most ancient desert.
The Track Series is a unique ultramarathon series of over 520 kilometres in a 10-day race. The Track Namibia concluded the 2024 series, taking runners through Namibia’s scenic marvels, from the Swakop River to the Sossusvlei dunes in Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Hannes Smit is a seasoned Namibian trail runner who has competed in all these races at some stage or another. He says that wild running in Namibia, offering an unparalleled experience perfectly suited for adventurous souls, has seen a remarkable surge in popularity. Having seen so much of Namibia on foot himself, Hannes enthusiastically talks about his incredible experiences. His infectious love for trail running shines through his stories of the connection one finds in this sport – connection to yourself, to nature and to your fellow runners.
Hannes delights with his tales of the wild running in the Desert Ultra, a thrilling route around the Brandberg from Spitzkoppe, which provides a unique perspective of the majestic mountain. Or about how the Four Deserts race was once run in the Skeleton Coast but was moved further south due to desert lions being inquisitive about the runners in their territory.
His recent completion of The Track Namibia race is a feat. It is one marathon each day where you carry your own food and equipment, with stringent cut-off times and culminating in a final full day and night run. “For the first three days of this year’s race we had east wind blowing. The warm wind meant you never cooled down and many people dropped out because of the heat. It is hard to run a full day, but this is what the ultras do, they take you out of your normal day-to-day life. You begin each new day with a new race, and even though you are tired and you have to manage your water and beat the cut-off time, somehow as a whole it makes you a free person and reminds you of your place in the world,” Hannes says, describing the profound sense of liberation participants feel as they shed the trappings of modern life and forge an intimate connection with nature and self. “No money can buy the freedom that comes with this kind of experience. You connect with who you are meant to be. You find your place in the world again.”
Another attraction are the sights and sounds. Recounting some wild encounters, Hannes smiles as he talks about seeing three giraffes in the desert. “When I did The Track Namibia series, I ran so close to them, that it was a goosebumps moment. When running the Desert Ultra, I saw rhinos, which was amazing.” Hannes notes that another highlight is seeing the ever-changing fauna as you run. “You’ll be surprised about the plants you see in the desert, especially when you come to a higher point where the moisture is different.”
If you are intrigued and want to experience these kinds of adventures, this seasoned Namibian trail runner’s advice is to start slow. He emphasises that there is no shame in starting with walking as you build up physical capability and connect with the community. As one delves deeper into the realm of ultrarunning, the allure of exploring new vistas and conquering towering peaks becomes an irresistible call to embrace the boundless spirit of adventure.
Whether you are an experienced runner seeking new challenges or a novice looking to embark on your first ultramarathon journey, Namibia beckons with its rugged beauty and untamed wilderness. TN
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