The Legends of the Valley

Admin
Apr 20
2 min read

10 Years of Karkloof: The Names in the Soil

While the weather and the course owners may change, the true identity of Karkloof is found in the people who return to the valley year after year. To understand the spirit of this race, you only need to look at the legends who have carved their names into its history.

The Standard-Setter: Naomi Brand

In Year 1, before we knew exactly how "fast" our trails could be, Naomi Brand stepped up to the start line and set a bar that remains the ultimate benchmark. In 2017, she didn't just win the women's race; she claimed 3rd place overall with a staggering time of 18:19:40.

A decade later, Naomi’s inaugural performance remains the course record. It was a "notably female" debut that proved from the very first mile: Karkloof is a race where grit knows no gender, and the women of the Midlands are some of the toughest in the world.

The Relentless Pursuer: Martin Malherbe

Martin Malherbe embodies the "Fastest" side of the Karkloof equation. For nearly the entire history of the event, Martin has been a fixture at the front of the pack, relentlessly chasing personal improvement.

His decade of consistency is unmatched:

2017: 19:18:31 (4th Overall)
2018: 19:22:56 (4th Overall)
2020: 18:40:08 (2nd Overall - his Personal Best)
2021: 20:47:57 (5th Overall)
2023: 21:15:55 (2nd Overall)

Though the top step of the podium has sometimes eluded him, Martin’s journey is a masterclass in the "Personal Best." He doesn't just run against the field; he runs against the version of himself from the year before.

The Transformation: Lloyd Sithole

If Martin represents the "Fastest," Lloyd Sithole represents the "Journey." Lloyd’s evolution is a testament to what this race can do to a runner. He didn't start as an elite; he became one through these forests.

His progress shows a runner who slowly mastered the 100-mile distance:

2018: 28:45:43
2020: 23:08:09 (A massive 5-hour improvement to break the 24-hour barrier)
2021: 24:15:04
2023: 23:04:27 (3rd Overall)

Lloyd’s path from a 28-hour finisher to a podium athlete—and eventually a 200-mile specialist—proves that Karkloof is the ultimate "graduation" for any trail runner.

The Purist: Tobie Reyneke

Then there is the legend, Tobie Reyneke. If you want to know why people fall in love with the Midlands, you watch Tobie run. He isn't there to break records; he is there for the pure beauty of the runnable trail.

Tobie’s presence is a bridge across the decade:

2017: 27:28:55
2019: 30:23:18
2021: 32:13:23
2023: 34:14:57

As he returns for his 10th-year milestone, Tobie reminds us that the finish time is secondary to the experience. He runs because he loves the valley, and the valley, in turn, has made him a legend.