Dodo pair poised to take flight at the Otter

Dodo Trail heroes Mvuyisi Gcogco and Emily Djock will be looking to take their form in July’s challenging trail race in Mauritius into Saturday’s Otter TERREX Trail, South Africa’s premier marathon-distance trail race.

This year’s race through the enchanting Tsitsikamma Forest will be run in the ‘reverse’ direction, from Nature’s Valley to Storm’s River. Known as the ‘Retto’, the technically more challenging stretch comes towards the finish leaving athletes to coming through the section on tired legs.

The North Face’s two latest signings, Gcogco and Djock, were on top form in the technically-challenging 50km Dodo Trail Race with Djock winning and Gcogco bagging third and are heading to the Southern Cape this week in what promises another top-flight contest.

One of the most experienced and consistent Otter racers, Eastern Cape’s Gcogco has yet to post a perfect race and a podium position.  He has been close, however, bagging four top ten finishes in his seven attempts, including 4^th in 2019, 5^th in 2017, 6^th in 2022 and 7^th in 2020.

Last year Gcogco faced a series of challenges both before and during the race and left the Tsitsikamma coast with few fond memories, but months later his fortunes turned when he signed for The North Face and raced to a memorable victory in the Ultra-trail Drakensberg 65km in April.

 “Honestly this year has been very different,” reflected Gcogco. “I no longer train with the anxiety of not knowing if and how I will get to a race. With my team supplementing my complimentary entry with transport, it makes all the difference.”

Gcogco admits that his 2023 Otter will not be fondly remembered. “Last year was not good. My tent leaked and I had little sleep before the race. My body did not respond at prologue and my stomach played up in the second half of the race.

“This year everything’s sorted going into the race, my fitness is much stronger and I’m more experienced than at the 2019 Retto (where he placed 4^th).  I think my body can do wonders and my performance is going to surprise some this year!

“I’m hoping for good race,” Gcogco continued. “I will aim to get into a nice rhythm and beat my PB. Whatever happens on the day, I aim to seize my opportunity and make the podium.”

Three times Otter winner and The North Face teammate to Gcogco and Djock, Johardt van Heerden is on the mend after some health challenges but will not compete at Otter this year. Having just become a father, Van Heerden will be supporting his teammates remotely.

“Mvuyisi is a wonderful athlete and great team ambassador. He is the smiliest guy on the trails – I think he has taken over that mantel from Thabang Madiba!  Everyone wants him to do well. We are stoked at the value he adds.

“He doesn’t have it easy financially, but always makes it work. He has been training hard, knows the route well and will want to prove a point after last year’s disappointing run.”

American-born Djock will be racing Otter for the first time and has no regrets about a late decision to go into ‘leave overdraft’ at work in order to race the Otter TERREX Trail in one of the most beautiful coastlines on the continent.

She is not a complete stranger to the Otter Trail, however, having explored it at a more leisurely pace some years bag. “I did the five-day hike in 2018,” she recalled. “It was incredible being able to immerse myself in the park over five days. The race will be a lot quicker!

“Since Puffer I’ve enjoyed a good block of training. I’ve struggled with a few injuries this year but it’s good to be injury-free now.

“My coach explained that the Otter has 11 climbs, but none more than 150 metres vertical gain. That has allowed me to visualize it.  The more technical section towards the end scares me but I don’t think anything could be more technical than the Dodo where I felt good running with an ankle brace.

“This is probably going to be the most competitive field I’ve run in,” Djock continued. “But I don’t feel any pressure as the uniqueness of the race, rather than my race expectations, will be my focus.

“As I run with stronger women, I’m more determined to improve as an athlete and close the gap. One of the quotes coming out of the super-competitive UTMB race (in France) last month was that ‘rising tides lift all ships’! It’s awesome to race in fields like this.”

Van Heerden does not believe Djock’s inexperience at Otter will prevent her from a strong showing. “Emily showed at Dodo that she can do well on technical terrain and it might suit her to have the more difficult rocky section near the finish.

“Although there are top runners such as Bianca Tarboton and Meg Mackenzie in the field, I think Emily has a chance at a podium position. She’s been very excited about joining The North Face and has been a valuable asset to the team.”