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Rebecca Kohne shocks UTCT 55km with Breakout Win in Debut Ultra-Trail

Adnaan MohamedNews, TrailLeave a Comment on Rebecca Kohne shocks UTCT 55km with Breakout Win in Debut Ultra-Trail
Adnaan Mohamed

By the time dawn cracked open above Table Mountain on Friday, the storm had already done its damage. Cape Town’s city bowl looked like a shaken snow globe – debris scattered, Race Village shuttered, the wind still muttering threats through the pines.

But out on the 2025 RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town (UTCT) Peninsula Traverse 55km start line, a 22-year-old from George stood still and unbothered, like someone listening to a different frequency entirely.
Rebecca Kohne wasn’t here for the noise. She was here for the mountain.

The thing is, nobody expected much from her, not even her.

This was her first ultra. Her first dance with the 55 km beast. Her first attempt at a distance where mistakes become monsters and pacing becomes gospel. The PT55 is notorious: half coastal storm, half rocky furnace, all attitude.

Kohne just smiled at it.

A Track Kid Walking Into the Lion’s Den

Kohne didn’t grow up on rugged singletrack. She’s a track kid with clean lines, controlled speed, predictable rhythm. She only started trail running in 2022, easing into shorter races, building confidence in the dirt.

Nothing in her résumé said “future 55 km winner.” But UTCT has a habit of pulling truth out of people.

“I had a really nice day today and really enjoyed the course,” she said later, almost too casually for someone who had just shocked one of the world’s biggest trail races.

“I ran pretty conservatively and ran a bit harder towards the end of the race.”

She said it like she’d just ticked off a chilled Sunday jog—not a career-altering breakout.

Running Her Own Race – Literally

What separated her from the rest wasn’t raw power or swagger. It was composure.

She didn’t panic when the wind howled across the ridges. She didn’t force things on the climbs. She didn’t chase the favourites.

She simply stayed in her lane – an ex–track runner building a new one across the mountain.

“No, I didn’t think so,” she admitted when asked if she expected to win. “I was hoping for top five.”

Then she dropped the line that perfectly sums up her day:

“The biggest thing I take away from today is not to count yourself out until the end. I just ran my own race, and I was focusing on how I was feeling. I just solved my problems as I was going through the course, and it turned out to work out for me.”

That’s veteran-level patience. That’s ultra instinct earned, not taught.

A Victory Without Flash – But Full of Fire

Rebecca Kohne did not arrive at UTCT to make noise. But mountains don’t care about hype—they care about honesty.

And Kohne ran with the kind of honest effort that trail running respects: steady, smart, attuned, unshakeable. Her 6:11:44 finish was clean, decisive and quietly devastating to the field.

A first ultra win in her first ultra attempt? That’s the kind of statistic that makes the trail world lean forward.

“For now, I will just enjoy the victory and decide what to do next when I return home,” she said, already being touted as South Africa’s next big thing.

Classic Kohne – calm in a moment when most would combust.

The Trail World Has a New Name to Learn

There are performances that make headlines.
Then there are performances that change trajectories.

This one felt like the latter.

On a morning when the storm was supposed to steal the show, a 22-year-old solved the mountain like it was a riddle she’d been waiting her whole life to answer.

Rebecca Kohne came to UTCT as an unknown. She left as the athlete everyone will be watching when the next trail rises.

2025 UTCT Winners

100 Miler (UTCT 100M)
• Men: Douglas Pickard (RSA) – 21:49:11
2. Aleksei Tolstenko (RSA)
3. Admire Muzopambwa (ZIM)

100 km (UT100 – Men)
• Jeff Mogavero (USA) – 11:04:53
2. Dmitry Mityaev (Neutral)
3. Matthew Healy (RSA)

Jeff-Mogavero-Dmitry-Mityaev-Matthew-Healy-2025-Ultra-Trail-Cape-Town-100k-mens-podium

100 km (UT100 – Women)
• Sunmaya Budha (Nepal) – 12:25:55
2. Antonina Iushina
3. Tara Fraga

Sunmaya-Budha-2025-Ultra-Trail-Cape-Town-100k-womens-winner-finish-chute

55 km Peninsula Traverse (PT55)
• Men: Johannes Wingenfeld (GER) – 5:13:26
• Women: Rebecca Kohne (RSA) – 6:11:44

35 km Table Mountain (TM35)
• Race called off due to windy conditions

23 km Explorer (EX23) & 16 km Kickstarter (KS16)
• Events completed; official results not yet published.

ADIDAS TERREX NEW AGRAVIC TRAIL RUNNING REVAMP

Adnaan MohamedAdvertorial, NewsLeave a Comment on ADIDAS TERREX NEW AGRAVIC TRAIL RUNNING REVAMP
By Adnaan Mohamed

South Africa, November 19, 2025 – adidas TERREX has fine-tuned their Agravic line-up for every kind of trail runner, whether you float over ultras or dash through daily dirt like a sprinter on a gravel runway.

Sprinting out front is the Agravic Speed Ultra 2, the sequel to the record-snatching original and now reborn with more bounce, more grip, and more long-haul comfort. First previewed in Chamonix, the ASU2 has been shaped by some of the world’s fastest trail athletes.

Engineered for ultra-distance efficiency, the model arrives with:
• A softer Lightstrike Pro midsole, paired with an exaggerated rocker and energy rods—“a smoother ride with increased energy return” built to keep athletes clicking off kilometres like a metronome on a mountain ridge.
• A retooled Continental outsole, sporting deeper 3–4mm lugs for bite on mud, rock, and everything in-between.
• A redesigned upper, hugging the foot with more stability and heel comfort for steady footing when fatigue hits like a steep final climb.

Speaking on the updated line, Tom Louage, Global Sr. Product Director Footwear adidas TERREX, said:

“We know that trail running means different things to different people. For some, it may mean running fast across ultra-distances whilst for others, it could mean speed on those everyday trail runs.

“With our new-look Agravic range, we wanted to take our existing models – including the race-dominating Agravic Speed Ultra – and push the boundaries further to create products that match the needs of trail runners looking to go faster.”

Joining the headline act are three refreshed and reengineered teammates:

Agravic TT – built for technical trail warfare

SS26_AGRAVIC_AGRAVIC 4_PRODUCT BEAUTY 2

A new entrant in the range, designed for rocky scrambles, sharp descents, and unpredictable terrain.

A wider base brings stability, while the dual-layer Lightstrike Pro + Lightstrike+ midsole offers a blend of cushion, durability, and firmness for controlled speed on gnarlier routes.

A reinforced upper, rock plate, and multi-directional lugs ensure grip that behaves like crampons with finesse.

Agravic Speed 2 – the stripped-back sprinter

adidas’ lightest trail racer yet, sculpted for short-distance battles where “seconds and grams count.” With a trimmed-down upper for stability at minimal weight and a low-profile Lightstrike Pro midsole, the Speed 2 keeps runners close to the ground—quick, agile, and race-ready.

Agravic 4 – the everyday fast trainer for everyone

A workhorse built to bring the feeling of speed to any runner. Softer Lightstrike+ foam means more forgiveness on long sessions, while a protective mesh layer deflects debris like a shield. A smoother, softer upper delivers better fit and comfort without sacrificing durability.

Early Access for adiClub Members

adiClub runners get the first crack at the Agravic Speed Ultra 2 from December 2 via adidas.co.za/trail_running and the adidas app well ahead of the global drop in February 2026, which will unveil the full range worldwide.

Women Reign Supreme in Ultra-Trail Marathons

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Women Reign Supreme in Ultra-Trail Marathons

This Women’s Day in South Africa, we celebrate the phenomenal women who dominate the world of ultra-trail marathons. Defying the odds and pushing beyond limits, women have consistently secured top spots in these gruelling events, proving their resilience, strength, and unparalleled multitasking abilities. Among these remarkable athletes are Jess Barrow and Riana van der Merwe, two of South Africa’s leading ultra-trail runners, whose stories of passion and perseverance continue to inspire.

Jess Barrow: From Motherhood to Mountain Peaks

Jess Barrow’s adventure into the world of trail running began in 2016 with a leap of faith. Postpartum with her third child and yearning for a new thrill, she agreed to join a friend in running the Otter Trail Run. With little training but a heart full of determination, Jess completed the race and discovered a passion that would change her life. Eight years and two more children later, Jess is a trail-running powerhouse, with her youngest now following in her footsteps on the trails.

“I was seeking adventure, and trail running gave me that and more,” says Jess. “The Otter ignited a fire in me that has only grown stronger with each race.”

The very night she returned from the Otter, Jess signed up for the Whale of Trail, Mont Aux Sources, and UTCT 100 km, driven by the thrill of the trail. Despite minimal training, she placed 4th in the 2017 UTCT 100 km, finishing in 17 hours. This was the moment Jess realized that trail running was more than just an adventure—it was her calling.

“The Ultra’s have always lured me,” Jess explains. “The physical and mental journey of a 100 or 160 km race is unparalleled. It’s an experience that fulfils me in a way that shorter distances never could.”

The Kway Skyrun holds a special place in Jess’s heart. The raw mountain route, the vibrant community, and the breathtaking landscapes of Lady Grey and Balloch make it an event she eagerly anticipates each year.

Riana van der Merwe: From High Altitudes to Trail Heights

 Riana van der Merwe’s journey into trail running began from an unexpected place—a high-altitude mountaineering background. In 2007, while waiting for a weather window in the Swiss Alps, Riana and her partner stumbled upon a poster for the Zermatt marathon. They entered the race, bought running shoes, and thus began their trail running adventure.

“We had no idea what we were getting into, but we were hooked,” says Riana. “Our mountaineering background made us accustomed to long hours on our feet, and trail running suited our lives better after having children.”

Riana quickly transitioned from trail marathons to ultra distances, with her first Kway Skyrun 100km later that year. Since then, she has completed numerous ultra races worldwide, including the Transalps, UTMB CCC, UTMB TDS, and races on Reunion Island, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Spain. In South Africa, Riana has conquered the Cederberg Traverse, UTD, Hobbit, Outeniqua, and Kway Skyrun, among others.

“Women are machines who can multitask,” Riana notes. “In ultra trails, a lot can go wrong, but women plan their work and work their plan. We are used to juggling multiple responsibilities, and that makes us stronger.”

Balancing demanding careers and raising children, both Jess and Riana exemplify the art of time management and dedication. Jess rises before dawn for focused training sessions, while Riana, living on a farm, integrates running into her daily life and follows structured training programs from her coach.

“Training is a juggle, but I make it work,” Jess shares. “My real endurance training begins when I get home to my four kids after a long run!”

For Riana, ultra-trail running is a family affair. “There is no conflict in our house about what we are going to do. We run in the mountains. That is what we do.”

Women like Jess Barrow and Riana van der Merwe are part of a growing trend of female ultra-trail runners excelling in the sport. Their success is mirrored globally by athletes like American ultra-trail runner Courtney Dauwalter, who won the top three biggest ultra-trail mountain races around the world in 2023: The Hardrock, Western States, and UTMB. Dauwalter’s achievements underscore the exceptional capabilities of women in ultra-distance running, often placing high overall and breaking records.

Research and statistics highlight that women excel in endurance sports due to their ability to maintain a steady pace, efficient energy use, and exceptional pain tolerance. Their multitasking skills, honed through balancing careers, family, and training, further contribute to their success in ultra-trail running.

As Jess prepares for her fifth Kway Skyrun and Riana looks forward to her 17th, their stories exemplify the spirit of perseverance, adventure, and competitive excellence.

This Women’s Day, we celebrate Jess Barrow, Riana van der Merwe, and all the incredible women who continue to break barriers and set new standards in ultra-trail marathons. Their stories inspire and empower future generations of female athletes to chase their dreams and conquer new heights.

For more information about the 2024 Kway Skyrun, please visit www.skyrun.co.za

The Running Mann: The Mann in the Middelburg

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on The Running Mann: The Mann in the Middelburg

I have visited Middelburg several times to run the Loskop Ultra Marathon, but have spent very little time in the town itself, as the Loskop route directs you straight out of town and towards the Loskop Dam. Therefore, I was looking forward to getting better acquainted with the Mpumalanga town during the Blue Mining MMC Marathon, which was the only January marathon I did not yet have on my running CV… – By Stuart Mann 

Matthew Healy Ultra runs himself onto the podium

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Matthew Healy Ultra runs himself onto the podium

After a 4 week high altitude training camp in Dullstroom in January, Matt made the long haul to New Zealand for his first race of the year at Tarawera Ultra-Trail By UTMB

Designed to capture the stunning and diverse landscapes of the Rotorua region and showcase what #TrailsFullofHeart is all about – connection with land and people in breathe taking surroundings on 105km of runnable trails with roughly 3000m of ascent.

The pace on Saturday was fast from the start and Matt was with the lead bunch. Last years winner Daniel Jones piled the pressure on, Matt measured his efforts to maintain a consistent pace throughout the race picking off runners one by one and moving into third place where he would manage a comfortable gap and find himself crossing the finish line to stand on yet another UTMB World Series podium behind now two times champion Daniel Jones(NZ) and Justin Grunewald(USA).

Races of this nature are not run on a weekly or even monthly bases as athletes need time to prepare with each Ultra Trail Run presenting its own unique challenges but then there is the recovery time post the race. The consistency Matt is showing is incredible and testament to his meticulous training and strategic race craft, in the past two years, Matt has accumulated incredible accolades:

• 2022 Mozart100 by UTMB, Austria – 10th overall, 5th in Category
• 2022 Nice by UTMB, France – 5th overall, 3rd in Category
• 2022 UTCT, South Africa – 6th overall and in Category
• 2023 Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB, France – 2nd overall(behind 1st by 58seconds)
• 2023 Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB, Slovenia – 5th overall, 3rd in Category
• 2024 Tarawera Ultra Trail by UTMB, New Zealand – 3rd overall, 2nd in Category