Oldmeldrum’s Meryl Cooper bids for more international success when she competes in this weekend’s Cape Town ultra trail running festival, which features 21km, 35km, 65km and 100km races.
The Dubai-based athlete, who made her Great Britain debut at the world ultra trail championships in Portugal earlier in the year, is tackling the longest race on the line-up, the 100km.
Last year she was third in the 65km, but has chosen to step up in distance and will face some top-quality opposition in what promises to be a challenging contest.
The race starts at 4am with the first 90 minutes run in darkness. Competitors face a big test within the opening 25km when they climb 1,700 metres, including the longest vertical ascent of the run up the north face of Table Mountain and along the contour of Platteklip Gorge. This section includes gradients exceeding 35 degrees.
Cooper is looking forward to testing herself against the punishing environment and some classy opponents.
She said: “The field is very strong with three very good South African runners who are higher than me in the ITRA rankings. Fellow Brit Beth Pascall, fifth in the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc race this summer, is also running as is last year’s winner Emily Hawgood.
“Then there’s Amanda Basham, who was second in the Cappadocia 63km ultra trail race at Urgup, Turkey, in October, where I finished fourth.
“There’s a lot of great competition, exactly what I want and need at this stage. I think a podium finish would be excellent given I am ranked 14th and there is such a strong field.
“I am remembering it’s a very long race. It’s a front-loaded course, so going out too fast could destroy my race. I am really excited to be out on this course again and to experience the additional 35km section I haven’t seen before.
“It’s a beautiful place and the trail running community are so fun and welcoming. I am staying for three weeks as I just love it here.”
Meanwhile, Fraserburgh half marathon champion Jason Kelly goes in search of more honours this weekend when he competes in the Nocturnal six-hour ultra race at Hedderwick Hill farm, near Dunbar.
The Metro Aberdeen runner has been preparing for the event for three months and showed good form by setting a course record time at Fraserburgh a fortnight ago.
He said: “The race is held on a 5km loop between 4pm and 10pm, so it’s dark the whole time. The person covering the greatest distance in the time will be the winner.”