DGT – the worlds toughest mountain race.

This is an interview with the 2023 winners

The race

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is a 210km self supported, self navigated mountain race that follows the border between South Africa and Lesotho. Most of the race is above 3000 ASL with the runners frequently going higher than 3300m to reach the check points on the route. In this episode I talk with the inaugural Drakensberg Grand Traverse winners Matt Bouch and Colin van Der Berg about their experience.

What makes the race so tough is the sheer remoteness of the route. The high Drakensberg has no habitation other than a few shepherds and a lot of sheep. The weather is unpredictable and you can experience ice, snow, extreme heat and river flooding. The runners team up in pairs of two and are wholly dependant on each other for the duration of the race.

There are safety zones in which racers are allowed to rest and recharge and one actual aid station at the 100 mile mark.

You can find Matt on Instagram @mattbouchphoto and Colin at @muggyicegoat

Check out the other DGT episodes on Mindful Runner to get more information on this fascinating race.