The New Zealand/German combination, Daniel Jones (leading) and Marcel Höche, brought an international flavour to the Klein Karoo for the 2024 race. Photo by Oakpics.com.
The Dryland Traverse has long been a semi-secret, core, trail running event.
It boasts three full stages and a Prologue through the iconic Cango Caves, with the renowned warm hospitality which defines Dryland Event Management along with its loyal partners, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all participants. Plus, it features one of the wildest Saturday night parties in any stage race, ahead of the final stage.
For years, however, it remained an event the Southern and Eastern Cape locals raved about, but which never quite hit the trail running mainstream… until German star Marcel Höche and New Zealand’s Daniel Jones were invited into the African hinterland by Capetonian and their fellow TERREX teammate, Bianca Tarboton.
Daniel Jones (leading) and Marcel Höche descending to victory on Stage 1 of the 2024 Dryland Traverse. Photo by Oakpics.com.
Once they were in the Klein Karoo, the Swartberg Mountains worked their dark magic, intoxicating the visitors with their beauty. It was not just the internationals who were wowed by the jagged peaks, deep green gorges, babbling brooks, and pristine fynbos. South Africans were blown away too, reminded repeatedly how spectacular this country’s natural beauty truly is.
Running through the Cango Caves is one of the many unique features to the Dryland Traverse. Photo by Oakpics.com.
“Starting at the Cango Caves is incredibly special,” mountain biker turned trail runner for the weekend, Nicola Freitas noted. “As you run into the cave it feels like you’re in another world, with the dim lighting softly illuminating the rock formations. It’s incredible to see, I slowed down to take it all in and I loved it. Where else do you get to run into a cave like that.”
The Cango Caves are a cultural and natural landmark, as well as the biggest show cave system in Africa. It is however just the beginning of the Dryland Traverse adventure. Stage 1 started atop the Swartberg Pass and included a jeep track traverse of a high ridgeline before descending on a technical trail to the De Hoek Resort race village. The next day took in a more undulating, 25.6 kilometre route, with numerous stream crossings.
Heavy rains earlier in the week made many of the river crossings, on Stage 2, deeper than usual. Photo by Oakpics.com.
Due to the heavy rainfall earlier in the week the streams were swollen to rivers and some of the crossings became more adventurous than they typically would be. The Karoo sun was out in full force though and the opportunity to cool off was appreciated all round.
Jones was equally impressed. “I had a really great time here at Dryland Traverse,” the Kiwi drawled. “The people, the trails, the atmosphere… to be fair this whole event has just been unreal. We had some good racing too with Underson [Ncube] and John [April], they pushed us hard every day.”
Bianca Tarboton is among South Africa’s top trail runners, but had yet to run the Dryland Traverse before this year. Photo by Oakpics.com.
“I’ve done more than 10, I think,” April acknowledged. “Almost always with different partners, and I’ve always been on the podium. But my favourite part of the event is the people. Being able to rest and recover with your fellow trail runners, to chat about the day and about life in general. It’s not like a marathon or a single day trail run where everyone runs and goes home straight away. It’s a whole weekend of running and enjoying the camaraderie.”
“I think the big thing about this event is not the performance aspect, but rather the community aspect. It has atmosphere in spades,” Jones pointed out. “We’ve had lots of good yarns with the other runners and the food has been amazing. We’ve had great local, traditional, foods. And of course, we had the fancy dress party last night… which is why I sound a little bit dusty. But, hey, I had a great time getting hooked in to the old brandy and cokes.”
Robbie Rorich ran for fun, soaking up the sunshine. Photo by Oakpics.com.
Despite sampling the local drinks as well as the local foods Jones and Höche were able to maintain their stage winning streak and add a fourth victory to their haul from the Dryland Traverse. The TERREX team’s winning margin over the Oudtshoorn locals, Ncube and April, was 7 minutes and 1 second after the four days. They were joined on the podium by Louis le Grange and Johardt van Heerden.
In the mixed category Tarboton cantered to the title with her boyfriend, Robbert Tweddle. “I’ve had the best weekend at Dryland Traverse, it exceeded all my expectations,” Tarboton grinned. “Everything from the food, to the runs, the after party, and just the general atmosphere was amazing. I felt very privileged to be a part of it and I’ll definitely be a part of it again in years to come.”
South African’s Landie and Christiaan Greyling made their Dryland Traverse return after a 7 year absence and won the solo women’s and men’s competitions, respectively. “It’s great to be back at Dryland Traverse and to be welcomed like family by the Dryland crew,” Christiaan Greyling praised. “I think more elite athletes should come and run here ahead of Ultra Trail Cape Town, not just the locals but also the internationals who could then blend a good race with some sight seeing too.”
The magnificent Swartberg Mountains provide the backdrop for the Dryland Traverse’s four days of spectacular trail running. Photo by Oakpics.com.
For more information on the spectacular Dryland Traverse visit www.drylandtraverse.co.za. Recap on all the action from the Cango Caves and the trails of the Swartberg Mountains on the event’s social media handles, Dryland Traverse on Facebook and @drylandtraverse on Instagram.
2024 Dryland Traverse Results:
Men’s Teams:
- TERREX: Marcel Höche & Daniel Jones (4:49:45)
- Oudtshoorn Locals: Underson Ncube & John April (4:56:47 | +7:01)
- co – Xplorers: Louis le Grange & Johardt van Heerden (5:37:42 | +47:56)
Women’s Teams:
- Zebras: Nadia Enslin & Karen Wentzel (7:23:21)
- Twinzees: Elrita Blignaut & Hanri Wagener (7:29:37 | +6:16)
- Tough Cookies: Britt Milne & Diane Jonker (8:02:56 | +39:35)
Mixed Teams:
- TERREX: Bianca Tarboton & Robert Tweddle (5:54:04)
- Last Minute: Julius de Clercq & Rose de Jonge (6:43:24 | +49:20)
- Net 1 Bier: Andre Gerber & Eugenie Lombard (7:14:42 | +1:20:38)
Solo Men:
- Christiaan Greyling (5:39:20)
- Jacques Mouton (6:45:12 | +1:05:52)
- Michael Strauss (6:50:10 | +1:10:50)
Solo Women:
- Landie Greyling (5:46:48)
- Chantel von Saint Ange (6:56:38 | +1:09:50)
- Donnae Broeksma (7:07:39 | +1:20:51)
