This year, everything came together: I trusted in my instinct and my preparation, and ran a race of no regret. It was a privilege to race against Kane Reilly to Ngubu Hut and witness his incredible speed – even over those technical rocks! Thabang Madiba’s ability to run up all the climbs left me awestruck. I had never seen the Bloukrans so deep, and swam for dear life (I later learned I could’ve stood up in it, if I’d wanted to…). I sprinted as if Rory Scheffer was chasing me on the flats between Andre Hut and the gate. And I was surprised Robbie Rorich didn’t overtake me (he finished in 3rd position, in 4:27), because this guy could’ve run sub-four.
I crossed the finish line in 4:13.16, which is the fastest time ever run by a South African athlete.
I’d always wondered whether champions feel obliged to hold their arms up in the air when they succeed. But crossing that famous floating bridge that leads to the finishing line, I experienced first-hand that it happens naturally – out of pure joy and excitement!
Christiaan Greyling: The Otter Experience
