After shattering the Three Peaks Challenge record earlier this month, expert trail runner AJ Calitz has become the inaugural winner of Red Bull LionHeart after an intensive two-day event on Cape Town’s Lion’s Head.

Says AJ, of his favourite training ground, and his win:

The toughest part for me was going up the first section – I’m a mountain runner and that section was way out of my comfort zone. I’m quite familiar with the course but the heat format, which is very different from other trail races, made it more exciting not only for us out there on the mountain but for spectators too.

The event, which was the brainchild of South African trail running legend Ryan Sandes, saw 32 men and eight women take on the gruelling 4,4km course up and down Lion’s Head on the final day.

Ryan Sandes competes, courtesy Craig Kolesky..

The event was the first of its kind in the world, and saw 150 competitors compete in a round-for-round knockout style format in some challenging conditions that included gusting winds and unseasonal Cape rain. Michael Bailey came in second, while Sandes finished in third.

Says Sandes, who was extremely happy with the event’s success:

I’m stoked! Personally, today was challenging because I didn’t quite have the gas in my legs on the uphills so I had to make up some time on the way down. The day panned out exactly how I envisioned it. Well done to AJ for a great run – he stood out from the beginning. Huge thanks to SANParks for making it possible.

Carla van Huyssteen was the women’s Red Bull LionHeart in spectacular fashion finishing a couple of minutes ahead of Katia Soggart and Landie Greyling.

[Source: RedBull]