Deryn is all about the trail
GREYMONT – Local runner enjoys the sights and sounds on South Africa's trails.
We can all take some inspiration from a local trail runner with an unstoppable spirit and the lessons she has learnt on the mountains of South Africa.
Deryn Petty (57) of Greymont has been trail running for four years.
“I find that the weekend trail runs are a way of getting to see the countryside as well as being a challenge,” she told Northcliff Melville Times.
“We are blessed by having some very fine ones here in South Africa. Last year I did the Oxpecker and this year the Glencairn and I loved both of them.”
Petty explained that the two-day (20km and 16km) Glencairn Trail Run, near Sanni Pass in KwaZulu-Natal, had some serious hills. However, to Petty it felt more like a holiday thanks to overnight accommodation with meals provided in a tent village.
“I did find it quite tough on my knees and was quite stiff on the second day but the views more than compensated.”
These views, intense climbing, and being able to go to places one does not normally go to are the reasons Petty runs on trails and not so much on the road.
“I run alone because I like to think when I run and besides I am seriously slow. Mostly I run around Alberts Farm and Emmarentia and Delta Park – between 10 and 20km per run. I have not felt threatened or unsafe but I don’t run in the dark.”
Petty hopes to run the Trail2Teebus in the Eastern Cape, the Kruger2Canyon Challenge in Frankyln Park, Limpopo and the Run the Berg in the Drakensberg mountains next year.
“I have a busy life and I run for fun so besides running the distance as often as I can, I don’t really prepare. I eat what I like. I am not competitive at all and do it for the love of the exercise.”
Having said that, Petty does go to gym and has a personal trainer, something she calls the biggest boon to her running thanks to improving her core strength and stamina.
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