{"id":901,"date":"2026-05-02T05:42:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T03:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/02\/chasing-trails-tails-tenacity-a-rainy-race-day-to-remember\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T21:32:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T19:32:43","slug":"chasing-trails-tails-tenacity-a-rainy-race-day-to-remember","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/02\/chasing-trails-tails-tenacity-a-rainy-race-day-to-remember\/","title":{"rendered":"Chasing Trails, Tails & Tenacity: A Rainy Race Day to Remember"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


The morning began with doubt\u2014rain tapping against the windows, a cold chill in the air, and the quiet thought that maybe the race wouldn\u2019t happen at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But 45 minutes later, everything changed. The skies cleared, the breeze softened, and at Grootfontein Bike Park stood two very excited German Shorthaired Pointers\u2014Rose and Connor\u2014ready to run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


As we lined up, the energy was undeniable. My mother-in-law took on the 5km trail while we tackled the full 10km. From the very first step, it was an adventure\u2014running over rugged rocks, weaving through green trees and delicate cosmos flowers, splashing through mud, and navigating wooden bridges. The wind whispered through the tall grass, adding rhythm to every stride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


And then there were the dogs\u2014free, wild, and completely alive. Off leash, Rose and Connor danced through the trails, bounding up and down hills, charging through the grass with pure joy. It wasn\u2019t just a race for them\u2014it was freedom. My DJI drone followed above, capturing every moment of movement, connection, and exhilaration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


By the finish line, you\u2019d expect exhaustion\u2014but not from them. They were still ready for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Waiting there was the rest of my world. My two Maltese Poodles, Bella and Sammy, had come along for the day. Bella sprinted toward me the moment she saw me cross the line, while Sammy stayed cozy with Kimberley on the back of the Land Rover. Sean and Kimberley stood cheering, holding space with warmth and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Even more special, my husband and daughter\u2014both injured and unable to run\u2014had prepared a beautiful picnic. A simple gesture, yet deeply meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delicious food, iced tea, and shared smiles turned the finish line into something far greater than just the end of a race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


When the results came in, I placed 4th\u2014missing 3rd by just 17 seconds. Close enough to feel, but not enough to take away from the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Because this wasn\u2019t just about placement. It was about showing up despite uncertainty, embracing the cold, running with heart, and sharing the journey with those\u2014two-legged and four-legged\u2014who make it all worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Cloudy skies, muddy trails, wagging tails, and unwavering support\u2014it was more than a race. It was a reminder of why we run in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


“It\u2019s not always about the podium\u2014it\u2019s about the moments that take your breath away along the way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The morning began with doubt\u2014rain tapping against the windows, a cold chill in the air, and the quiet thought that maybe the race wouldn\u2019t happen at all. But 45 minutes later, everything changed. The skies cleared, the breeze softened, and at Grootfontein Bike Park stood two very excited German Shorthaired Pointers\u2014Rose and Connor\u2014ready to run. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":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},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[171],"class_list":["post-901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-trailrunninglife-runwithdogs-gspadventure-familysupport-chasingfinishlines"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":210,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/07\/arc-irene-10km-race-recap\/","url_meta":{"origin":901,"position":0},"title":"ARC Irene 10km Race Recap","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"7 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Today I took on the ARC Irene 10km race \u2014 and what a challenge it turned out to be! 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