Trail runners say farewell to scenic Augrabies extreme marathon after 25-year run

SINCE the year 2000, trail runners from all over the world have been gathering at the Augrabies National Park for the ‘Big Daddy’ officially called the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM).

The KAEM website described the race as follows: “Starting and finishing in the Augrabies Falls National Park, the route runs through the Park with beautiful scenes of wildlife and protected areas where the distinctive Quiver Trees stand tall against arid desert landscapes.

“The route also traverses remote areas and private farmlands where very few people ever set foot on, as well as cultivated vineyards along the Orange River where you can experience the tranquillity of the ‘Green Kalahari’.”

Adventurers and nature lovers would, therefore, be disappointed and saddened to learn that, following the 25th edition of the KAEM, the last race took place between September 12-22 2024.

The KAEM was a 250km self-supported trail run over seven days and six stages.

This extreme trail run has been described, by those who experienced it, as an adventure of a lifetime.

For example, at the conclusion of the second day of this year’s race – a 34km trek – the organisers described the experience on their Facebook page: “A slightly warmer day in the desert although it started off very cold with temperatures before 4 degrees. The terrain took the participants through rock, hilly sections, along the vineyards by the Orange River and up ‘Death Valley’ a particularly difficult uphill section through a gorge with a sandy river bed. In previous years this section has got well into 49 degrees as the rocks heat up with the sun.

“This year was cooler but the terrain is still tough going and the temperature did start to climb as the majority of the pack moved up the gorge.”

This is an example of what participants had to endure, but also what they were privileged to experience during the KAEM.

The first man to finish the trail run this year was Andy Williams of the United Kingdom. Williams has previously referred to the KAEM as "the best race on the planet," and this was his fourth time competing in the event.

Competing in his first KAEM, Barry Thraves, a personal trainer also from the UK, finished in second place, while Christoph Bunse from Germany placed third competing for the fourth time.

Another German, Silke Leikheim, made a stunning debut in the women's division by winning the race. The female winners of the previous year, South Africans Riana Henning and Esté Bezuidenhout came in second and third, respectively.

Back in May, organisers announced that this year would mark the final chapter of the KAEM story, stating that it was no longer sustainable to continue due to a combination of factors.

Following the conclusion of the last KAEM, a heartfelt tribute was given to Estienne Arndt, the founder and driving force behind the event. Arndt was honoured for his unwavering dedication and for creating a life-changing experience that has impacted countless lives over the past 25 years.

The sentiment was expressed as follows: “Through your inventiveness, our KAEM participants and crew gained the opportunity to discover the beauty of the Kalahari Augrabies, conquered the challenge of the KAEM, and made special memories that will remain with us forever.”

For more photos and information on the KAEM, visit Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon on Facebook or head over to the website at kaem.co.za/kaem-big-daddy.