Whale of a time ahead for Mvuyisi

Eastern Cape trail athlete, Mvuyisi Gcogco, arrived at De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Southern Cape yesterday (Thursday 3 August) to run the Merrell Whale of Trail tomorrow, excited about the first step of an adventure which offers new opportunities to realise his undoubted talent as a distance athlete.

With one of the biggest smiles in trail running, Gcogco’s positive energy has enabled him to overcome many obstacles in his quest to satisfy his trail passion and competing against the country’s and some of the world’s leading athletes.

Gcogco’s life circumstances have seldom allowed him to realise his full potential. His long work hours have often forced him to arrive late at races with little time to prepare as many of his rivals are able.

Despite these challenges, Gcogco has finished seven Otter African Trail Runs, including two top five positions, won the Addo 44km earlier this year and seven years after he won at his first attempt. He narrowly missed out on selection for the South African team for the World Mountain and Trail Championships in Austria in June following a close third place in the Ultra-trail Drakensberg 32km.

Eastern Cape’s Mvuyisi Gcogco has been one of the most consistent top finishers at the prestigious Otter African Trail Run in the past 5 years. Photo – Stephen Granger

Many hours on a long-distance truck driving shift saw Gcogco arrive at the start of last November’s Ultra-trail Cape Town’s 55km race just in time to face the starter’s gun. He nonetheless raced strongly to finish first of the South Africans and fifth overall  behind leading British athlete Robbie Simpson, filled with equal measures of pride and frustration at what was and what might have been.

Construction site and long-distance driving work brings much-needed income but leaves him short of the time and opportunity needed to race to his potential. But his third place behind world-class athletes Johardt van Heerden and American Jeshurun Small at the George Mountain Ultra-Trail in May proved a turning point for the New Brighton athlete.

Mvuyisi Gcogco in action at last year’s Ultra-trail Cape Town 55km. Gcogco was the first South African home. Photo – Stephen Granger

His podium position earned him an invitation to race the prestigious Ultra-trail Mont Blanc OCC 55km in the French Alps on the last day of this month and thanks to generous support from donors around the world, Gcogco will soon fly out of South Africa for the first time in his life.

The love for and esteem in which Gcogco is held by his fellow-elite trail athletes was clear as many hurried to support his quest to race at UTMB.

“Yesss bruski!! There is nobody more deserving of this journey! Cannot wait to support you and most importantly, enjoy the experience,” exclaimed Cape Town athlete, Rob Shaff.

“I cannot wait to see you in Chamonix MV. Keep your smile bright,” said Chamonix-based Toni McCann.

A Southern Right Whale and her calf captured close to the De Hoop shoreline at the 2019 Whale of Trail. Photo – DCIM\100MEDIA\DJI

Stunned by the support he received, Gcogco set out yesterday for his warm-up race at the Whale of Trail, delighted to be able to arrive early for once. “I’m trying to avoid getting to races at the last minute,” Gcogco admitted. “This time it’s perfect.”

Gcogco placed fifth in 5 hrs 07 min in a strong field at last year’s Whale of Trail, behind South Africa’s top marathon-distance trail athlete, Johardt Van Heerden, but his improved form suggests he could challenge for a podium position tomorrow. “I don’t want to make predictions, but I’d love to go under five hours,” Gcogco said. “My preparation has gone well – not yet 100%, perhaps 75%, and I don’t want to push too hard ahead of UTMB.

Former Whale of Trail winner Melikhaya Msizi on a running high through the limestone fynbos of the Potberg. Msizi will be racing tomorrow. Photo – Stephen Granger

“Running at UTMB will be a dream come true. I can’t wait.  I’m overwhelmed with the support from people all over who made it possible.  I’m going to fly via Dubai and hope to meet up with Matt and Sandy who live there and whose generosity played a big part in making it happen. It will be great just to meet them and say thanks in person.

“But meanwhile I’m using the Whale Trail to get me in the right frame of mind for UTMB. Incredibly I leave for Chamonix next week!”

Van Heerden will not be turning out tomorrow to enjoy the most biodiversity-rich trail race on the continent, leaving the Merrell Whale of Trail title wide open. Gcogco is a strong candidate to get the better of former winner, Melikhaya Msizi, strong ultra-distance campaigner, Kennedy Sekhuthe and last year’s 5^th and  6^th  placed finishers, Patrick Cameron-Smith (winner of last year’s PUFfer 70km) and Bradley Claase.

After a lingering chest infection following her impressive performance at the World Mountain and Trail Championships in Austria in June, Landie Greyling has been given the all-clear to defend her title in the women’s competition, but she can expect a strong challenge from Eastern Cape athlete and winner of the Ultra-trail Drakensberg 100km in April, Nadia Jooste.