{"id":849,"date":"2026-03-23T10:45:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T08:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/23\/running-through-mist-and-mountains-magoebas-ultra-trail-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T11:16:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T09:16:35","slug":"running-through-mist-and-mountains-magoebas-ultra-trail-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/23\/running-through-mist-and-mountains-magoebas-ultra-trail-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Running Through Mist and Mountains: Magoebas Ultra Trail 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n



The Start Line<\/p>\n\n\n\n


We ventured into the woods and mountains for the Magoebas Ultra Trail Race 2026, tackling the 30km distance\u2014a first for me. I didn\u2019t fully know how rough this race would be, but I was determined to push my limits.\u00a0

The morning was slightly cloudy, with a cool breeze at the start line promising comfort. Within the first kilometer, though, the humidity set in\u2014and so did the steep uphill that felt endless. The race\u2019s total elevation gain was 1662m, a true test of endurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Into the Forest<\/p>\n\n\n\n


We transitioned from pine plantations into indigenous forests, where moss covered rocks and trees, streams converged into rivers, waterfalls roared, and birdsong filled the misty air.\u00a0

After what felt like forever, the downhill arrived\u2014muddy, slippery, technical, but a relief nonetheless. This race constantly asked: \u201cWhy did you enter?\u201d and yet whispered: \u201cDo it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n



Running Apart, Yet Together<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


At 7km, my husband Sean suffered a minor injury. I went ahead to keep my pace, but we kept calling each other along the way\u2014checking in, encouraging, reminding ourselves that love endures even when the trail splits.\u00a0
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


At 22km, Sean\u2019s words carried me forward: \u201cYou are doing so well and I am proud of you. Keep going.\u201d\u00a0

The Finish Line<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Despite sore legs from a near fall, I pushed through the final 8km. Crossing the finish line, I was greeted with cheers, a non-alcoholic Devil\u2019s Peak beer, water, and a finisher\u2019s medal\u2014another for the collection.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n



My goals were clear:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n


– Top 100 athletes would be great.\u00a0
– Top 80 even better.\u00a0
– Top 60 would be a win.\u00a0

I finished 62nd out of 210 athletes in 5 hours 25 minutes. Sean finished 137th in 6 hours 45 minutes. Proud doesn\u2019t begin to describe how I felt.

Recovery & Celebration<\/p>\n\n\n\n


We soaked in the ice baths with 0.0% Corona, listening to cheers for other finishers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back at the lodge, we showered, changed, and enjoyed a splendid dinner with international courses:\u00a0

– South African: Bobotie with rice, Sosaties\u00a0
– German: Bratwurst rolls with sauerkraut, Pork stew with dumplings\u00a0
– Indian: Butter chicken rotis, Mini bunny chows, Beef kebabs with tzatziki\u00a0
– Asian: Beef stir fry with noodles\u00a0

We managed three courses before exhaustion won. Sitting outside under the stars, we reflected on the race, the views, and the experience.

The Morning After<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Breakfast at the trail venue was a feast\u2014coffee, juice, fruit platters, cheese, muesli, breads, bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, and muffins. With full tummies and stiff legs, we began the long road home, filled with gratitude and achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Looking Ahead: POV 2027<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The mountains aren\u2019t done with me yet. Next year, I\u2019ll return for the 45km\u2014ready to listen again to the forest\u2019s challenge, and to write another chapter in this journey of resilience, love, and adventure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Start Line We ventured into the woods and mountains for the Magoebas Ultra Trail Race 2026, tackling the 30km distance\u2014a first for me. I didn\u2019t fully know how rough this race would be, but I was determined to push my limits.\u00a0 The morning was slightly cloudy, with a cool breeze at the start line […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[161],"tags":[162],"class_list":["post-849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-magoebas-ultra-trail-30km-2026","tag-trailrunning-ultramarathon-magoebasultra-runningcommunity-adventureawaits"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774178901504-1.png?fit=537%2C716&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":732,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/08\/running-through-seasons-a-familys-journey-of-trails-triumphs-and-togetherness\/","url_meta":{"origin":849,"position":0},"title":"Running Through Seasons: A Family\u2019s Journey of Trails, Triumphs, and Togetherness","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"8 March 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Red Barn greeted us this morning with a tapestry of green, its trails softened by the recent rains and lined with wildflowers that seemed to cheer us on. 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