Lijan is a 23-year-old trail runner from Stellenbosch who completed her Bachelor of Science Honours in Physiological Sciences.. She has always been intrigued by nutrition, exercise and leading a healthy, holistic lifestyle, which has helped her become a competitive trail runner. She was a 1500m track athlete in high school but soon got bored of running in circles and turned to the trails. She started training with the Stellenbosch Triathlon Squad and then moved over to train with coach Ernie Gruhn. For Lijan running is freedom. She enjoys working with people and is eager to make a positive contribution to the natural and social environment.
Mark likes to call himself an adventurer who pushes his limits. After running a few comrades he quickly moved onto trail running and ultra distance running. He pushes the limits, not only of himself but also of the human body. George 6 Peaks, Om die Dam, Cathedral Peak FKT, Mount Aux Sources 50k and many other trail running challenges is where he likes breaking the boundaries. He is a great example of what our bodies are stil able to do even our age don’t agree.
Annalise lives in Port Elizabeth is a wife and mother to two beautiful girls. She works full time and loves running ultra distance. She has hit the podium over more than twenty times in races like Addo Elephant Trail Run 76km and 160km and George Mountain Ultra Trail 60km. At the SA Ultra Champs her spot on the podium secured her a ticket to the World Ultra Trail Championships in Spain. Annalise is a inspiration not only on mountain tops but also in her daily way of living with those close to her.
Christiaan Greyling, Elite Trail Runner, Industrial Engineer with a qualification in Supply Chain and dad of two, has been on top of his trail running game since 2015, where he has been on the podium over 60 times. Christiaan and his wife, Landie, also started their own online running coaching business, Alpasfit, with the purpose of mentoring and changing people’s lives.
Christiaan is the solution-finder of the team, with a huge heart to help others and to dream without limits.
Gabriel is a #Christlete (Christ’s Athlete). He is not only a Father, Husband and Adventurer, but also ultra distance trail runner and Coach (@bergskaap). The Mountains and Sea is his happy place and he enjoys engaging with people. Most of all his passion lives in Endurance Sport. From ironman racing to ultra distance trail running, from winning the Addo 100 miler to finishing UTD 100miler on his knees. As Gabriel would say, “God’s put me together in a way that I love seeking out the longest hardest possible challenges! The destination is still unknown, but the journey has started. Klim tot jy Huil”.
Elite Trail Runner, Chartered Accountant with a Masters Degree in Tax and mom of two, has been on top of her trail running game since 2011, where she has been on the podium over 100 times. Landie is known for her smile and positive attitude, all while showing some crazy grit when it comes to racing the extremes or mom-ing around the clock.
Full-time professional project manager in the building and construction industry, however when Grobler is not working he probably is on a mountain exploring somewhere. He has been able to hit the podium on races like Skyryn 100km, Maxi 75km and Ultra Trail Drakensberg 160km. He gets recharged in creation – on mountaintops, valleys and riverbeds, dirt roads and footpaths. He runs not for podiums but for the sense of adventure and freedom. Pushing boundaries of the human body while strangely enjoying the feeling of suffering while building his character in the process is something that keeps him going back for more.