Christo races The Otter

This past Sunday, Christo ran 'The Otter', a new trail run - the brainchild of the Collins brothers Mark & John from Magnetic South.  At 42km of technical trail running, The Otter takes in the length of the well-known multiday Otter Trail hiking route. This is the first time that people have been allowed to do the entire length of the trail in one dose.

The Otter Run description from event website:
"The Otter Run involves no fewer than 11 “significant” (steep climbs of more than 50 meters of elevation gain) with three climbs exceeding 100 meters and a total elevation gain of over 2100 meters. Some of these climbs are steep enough to force even the strongest runners to walk and in many places it is stepped."

In Christo's words...

Only 7km's left!" These  words, from a female marshall at the last 'checkpoint' of The Otter, will be remembered by every runner who took on this inaugural trail running challenge, which is hosted by Magnetic South and presented by Hi-Tec.

"The Otter includes some of the most technical terrain you will ever find on a trail event," says Christo. "It has the most steps you will ever climb in your life during a single event and you will certainly experience the most painful cramps! The reward, however, is running along the most breathtaking section of coastline, to be found on this planet, in a single day. The event and organising was World-class and I enjoyed every moment, even the last seven kilometres that felt like they would never end."

Christo finished 18th overall in the open male category with a time of 6:18.

* Photo of Christo from the Southern Storm website