The Secret to Reigning Supreme in Ultra-Trail Marathons

Photo Credit: Jess and Riana — Supplied

South African women are no strangers to reigning supreme in the exhilarating world of ultra-trail marathons. And for many trailblazers, much of their success is chalked down to an obvious secret:

South Africa (12 August 2024) — When it comes to reigning supreme and achieving one’s goals in the world of ultra-trail marathons, a great deal of mental strength goes part-in-parcel with any physical ability.

Dominating mountain landscapes against the clock means upping the ante of endurance in more ways than simple physical strain. It’s not something everyone wants to (or can) tackle. But for those who fall in love with the sport, there’s nothing quite like the intensely rewarding experience.

Many South African women happen to be remarkable examples of reigning supreme in ultra-trail marathons and are certified trailblazers. Women like Jess Barrow and Riana van der Merwe are formidable names in the field. But their secret to success (beyond intense hard work) boils down to something beyond training schedules—it’s their resilience as women.

Jess began her adventure into the world of trail running in 2016 when she decided to take a leap of faith. Postpartum with her third child and yearning for a new thrill, she opted to join a friend in running the Otter Trail Run. With very little training but a heart full of determination, Jess successfully completed the race and, with tired legs—walked away with a newfound passion.

Eight years and two more children later, she is a trail-running powerhouse, with her youngest now following in her footsteps.

“The Ultra’s have always lured me…The physical and mental journey of a 100 or 160km race is unparalleled. It’s an experience that fulfils me in a way that shorter distances never could.

Riana, on the other hand, also began her trek into trail running unexpectedly. Coming from a high-altitude mountaineering background, in 2007, while waiting for a weather window in the Swiss Alps, Riana and her partner discovered a poster for the Zermatt marathon.

They entered the race on a whim and soon, Riana was hooked.

Riana quickly transitioned to ultra distances and tackled her first Kway Skyrun 100km later that year. Since then, she has completed numerous ultra races worldwide and in South Africa.

While there’s no singular path to becoming successful in something like ultra-trail marathons, for Riana, being a woman is part of her success.

“Women are machines who can multitask. In ultra trails, a lot can go wrong, but women plan their work and work their plan. We are used to juggling multiple responsibilities, and that makes us stronger.”

Women like Jess and Riana van der Merwe are part of a growing trend of female ultra-trail runners reigning supreme in the sport—but there are many more across the world like America’s Courtney Dauwalter who won the top three biggest ultra-trail mountain races around the world in 2023 (The Hardrock, Western States and UTMB).

Research indicates that women tend to excel in endurance sports due to their ability to maintain a steady pace, use energy efficiently and because of exceptional pain tolerance. These, in addition to multitasking abilities honed through balancing careers, family and training, further contribute to success.

There may be no one-size-fits-all mould to being a woman. But, the experiences we have as women do shape the way we interact with the world, our dreams and goals. Being accustom to wearing many hats in a society where glass-ceilings are still in place translates to a different kind of adaptability that, when unleashed, is often nothing short of awe-provoking.

As Jess prepares for her fifth Kway Skyrun and Riana looks forward to her 17th, their stories exemplify the spirit of perseverance, adventure, and competitive excellence.