Natrass Training Towards AfricanX

Not many people can use the expression “It feels like I’ve been hit by a train”, and actually mean it. Stellenbosch resident, Brett Natrass is one of the select few. Natrass obtained serious injuries in November last year when his car was hit by a train while intersecting a railway crossing. Although it’s been a tough road to recovery, Natrass can be found back on the trails adamantly training for the 2012 ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun presented by New Balance (16 – 18 March 2012).

According to Natrass, he has no recollection of the accident. “It happened on 2nd November 2011, I was called out to a wine farm in Kuilsriver for work purposes. The farm has an unprotected railway crossing at its entrance. Leaving the farm, I drove up the hill and can only remember seeing the security boom open, looking for a train and not seeing anything coming. I proceeded only to wake up about 20 minutes later with paramedics all around me. I had five broken ribs, a bruised lung, lacerations on my head, in my mouth and on my back as well as a cracked C1 vertebrae. I spent five days in hospital. I couldn’t train for six weeks and then it took an additional four weeks before I could run without discomfort. I am only now at the stage where I can run pain free, although I can still feel the ribs,” says Natrass who will team up with wife Ronel at the 2012 ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun.

“A the moment Ronel and I don’t have a fixed training schedule,” continues Natrass. “Together with Benjamin, our five month old baby and the fact that we are both self employed, we have to do what we can when we can. We do have a cool baby jogger which allows Benjamin to come with on runs, but at five months we cannot take him out for four hours of training. We participated at the inaugural ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun in 2009, placing 2nd in the mixed category. The AfricanX is aimed at pretty much everyone who can run. It is fun, social and really a classic event. It isn’t about being first or last, it is about being there. Ronel and I don’t have high expectations at this year’s event. We actually just want to enjoy it. It would be great to see the podium once during the three days, but we really don’t mind. Benjamin is our prize at the moment, and the fact that we can compete together is better than anything else”.

The ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun presented by New Balance is a team event. Teams of two (male/female/mixed) will be seen battling it out on a route varying in distance between 25-35km each day. The three routes have been planned in such a way that the participants will have the opportunity to tackle a different breathtaking scenic route each day, allowing them to enjoy the full diversity of the world-renowned Kogelberg Biosphere. This awe-inspiring trail run stage race will follow a cloverleaf format, which means that runners will finish in Kleinmond on each of the three days. Their accommodation, meals and entertainment will remain in the same place for the duration of the race.

DATE: 16, 17 and 18 March 2012

FORMAT: Three-day stage race / teams of two (male/female/mixed)

VENUE: Starting & ending in and around Kleinmond (Western Day) each day

DISTANCE:                   Day 1:           approximately 35km
Day 2:           approximately 35km
Day 3:           approximately 25km