Trail runners from all over the world gathered at the Augrabies National Park for the last edition of the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM).
Also called the Big Daddy, the KAEM is a 250 km self-supported trail run over seven days and six stages. This year it took place from 12 to 22 September, being presented for a 25th time.
This extreme trail run is known for stunning scenery, diverse terrain, abundant wildlife (including midges), varying temperatures and camaraderie, and is described as an adventure of a lifetime.
This year, Andy Williams from the United Kingdom was the first man to finish the trail run. It was Williams’ fourth participation in the KAEM; he previously described it as “the best race on the planet”.
Barry Thraves, also from the United Kingdom, was second, and it was this personal trainer’s first KAEM.
Christoph Bunse from Germany took third place in his fourth KAEM.
This year, Silke Leikheim, an architect from Germany, entered her first KAEM and was the first woman over the finishing line.
Two South Africans, Riana Henning and Esté Bezuidenhout, finished in second and third place, respectively. Henning was last year’s female winner, while Bezuidenhout completed her fourth KAEM, describing it as her “yearly camino”.
In May, organisers announced that this year’s KAEM would mark its final chapter, stating that due to a combination of factors it is no longer sustainable to continue.
In the wake of the last KAEM, tribute was paid to Estienne Arndt, father and founder of the KAEM.
Arndt was thanked for his dedication, and for enriching lives with a life-changing event that thrived for 25 years.
“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,” it was stated.
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