The Rock Ultra 100 is one of those trail races which places the emphasis on racing. The races’ slogan is “for the love of running”, and there was no better race to put that celebration to the fore than on and over Paarl Mountain in the Cape Winelands of the Western Cape on an early summer night and day. This mountain boasts the second largest granite outcrop on the planet.

Perhaps it was years of trail racing experience and the incredible culmination of personal nutritional changes in recent years which helped, but there was something about this race that made the distance of 100 kilometres more nominal than in years past. With around 3500 metres of accumulative ascent, this race was no walk over, yet the trail and tracks just lured me in to knuckle down and get down to some dusty and hard running that made the event more than a joy, but a confirmation that Ultra-Trail racing is a calling I am not only privileged and graced to be able to do, but one that solidifies an identity in my journey as an endurance athlete.

Enjoy this Tale of one my best finishes within the top 30 percent of starters for a 100-kilometre Ultra-Trail race:

A 7:00 p.m. start at the Paarl Arboretum ensured at least one full night out on the trails.

(photo credit: Stefan van Neel)

With limitations of being able to take decent photographs during the first half of the race at night, the intersections of being alone with one's own headlamp over many kilometres that is part and parcel of Ultra-Trail racing was evident. The moments one can only really capture with ones eyes are relentlessly special. Moon rise over the Nantes Dam floating bridge crossing, above (photo credit: Stefan van Neel). The second of two Cape porcupines I came across, below.

Known as a 'fast' 100 kilometre Ultra-Trail race relative to others, the terrain is varied underfoot and provides around 70 kilometres of runnable sections.

Circumnavigating around, through and over the granite domes of Paarl Mountain: Gordon's Rock, left and Britagne Rock, right.

The route bypasses the Afrikaans Language Monument - a recognisable and iconic landmark on the slopes of Paarl Mountain recognising one of Africa's youngest languages.

With the sun fully risen, the morning and second half of the race conditions started to heat up, as did the competition. Britagne Rock, left, with Paarl Rock, right.

Making my way between Gordon's Rock, above, and Britagne Rock, below.

Nantes Dam and Gordon's Rock.

Tagging Bretagne Rock summit marked 77 kilometres in.

Gordon's Rock view from Bretagne Rock.

Paarl Rock view from Bretagne Rock. Limietberg mountain behind, home to the Pass2Pass Hundred Ultra-Trail Run I completed eight months earlier.

Navigating a drop off enroute to Paarl Rock summit with Paarl below.

Meulwater Camp Aid Station and supporter point at 80 kilometres in provided some respite by my crew who managed to get some decent sleep in this race during the night.

Being made aware of my race position provided extra impetus to maintain the pace and not slow down, except for this photograph!

The last significant ascent, above, provides a last view of left to right, Paarl Rock, Bretagne Rock and Gordon's Rock, below.

The Rock Ultra 100 reminds me of the reason why I love running - not only the finish lines (or my fastest 100-kilometre Ultra-Trail race in this case!), but because of relationships that matter most. Grateful.

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