Fourways nutritionist tests her athletic ability in the final Cathedral Peak Challenge
FOURWAYS – Clinical nutritionist Desi Horsman has put her skills to the test as she took on the Cathedral Peak Challenge, a race which combined running and hiking skills
Desi Horsman decided to test her athletic ability and compete in the final Cathedral Peak Challenge on 22 September.
The 48-year-old clinical nutritionist from Fourways has been running consistently for seven years now, mostly as a trail runner.
She decided to enter the race because it was a real challenge that not only assessed her running ability but her ability to climb and hike too, and was also an opportunity to spend some time away from the city and in the beautiful outdoors.
“This race is a bit tricky because it is more than running – it is climbing as well,” Horsman said.
“The distance is 20km, which I know I can do, but the route [went] up Cathedral Peak [in the Drakensburg] with a total ascent of 1 531m.”
The Cathedral Peak Challenge is organised by the Cathedral Peak Hotel and competitors start and end at the venue.
A total of five challenges were hosted this year, which followed the exact same route each time so that competitors could attempt the race multiple times and improve their results if they so wished.
This final challenge had about 70 participants involved, both men and women, and was booked up a few weeks before the actual race commenced. It was the first time Horsman attempted the race, although the decision to do so was not easy. “I’m actually not fantastic with heights, although I think I’m actually more afraid of the falling than the height.
It took a little while before I was sure I wanted to try it.
“I did eventually decide to go for it because I wanted to enjoy the freedom of running out in the open, away from Johannesburg and in a beautiful location. Usually, I practise running on the road, so it’s a nice change.”
Details: www.cathedralpeak.co.za/challenge
