Two trail runners nurtured in KwaZulu‑Natal development structures will take their first steps on the world stage at one of the sport’s biggest weeks. Tsielo Tsanyane, 27, and Sinovuyo Ndlovu, 30, both members of Durban’s LIV2Run programme, are entered for the ETC (Experience Trail Courmayeur) — a 15km race with 1,200m of elevation gain — that forms part of the HOKA UTMB Mont‑Blanc festival on 25 August in Courmayeur, Italy.
From local peaks to the Alps
Tsanyane’s rise has been rapid. He reclaimed the DRJ25 (Drakensberg Rock Jumper 25km) title at the RMB Ultra‑train Drakensberg (RMB UtD) in late April, a race he has won previously and where he has contested different distances, including a fifth place in the 35km event in 2025. Since joining LIV2Run — a trail running development programme supported by RMB during the Covid‑19 years — he has progressed from promising athlete to the programme’s lead runner and one of its coaches.
Ndlovu, a consistent performer in the South African trails scene, will join Tsanyane in Courmayeur to tackle terrain neither has previously experienced: alpine ascents and descents that are steeper and rockier than many of the routes at home.
What the ETC will demand
On paper the ETC is a short course by ultra‑trail standards, but the combination of sustained climbing and technical ground makes it demanding. The organisers set a 4‑hour‑30‑minute cutoff, while runners frequently describe the energy cost as equivalent to a longer distance — in this case a "27km‑effort" once the climbs are factored in. That means athletes used to South African mountain profiles will need to adapt to European alpine conditions and pacing strategies.
Key race details
- Race: ETC (Experience Trail Courmayeur)
- Distance: 15km
- Elevation gain: 1,200m
- Date: 25 August
- Cutoff time: 4 hours 30 minutes
| Athlete | Age | Background highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Tsielo Tsanyane | 27 | DRJ25 winner; LIV2Run athlete and coach |
| Sinovuyo Ndlovu | 30 | Established trail runner in KwaZulu‑Natal |
How the trip was made possible
The opportunity for both athletes to travel to Italy grew from support within the South African trail ecosystem. LIV2Run received funding specific to athlete development from James Miller, a South African based in London who has raised funds to assist the duo’s trip. RMB’s ongoing backing of trail running was credited by the programme as a critical enabler.
"RMB's support for trail running is focused on growing the sport in South Africa and creating meaningful pathways for talented athletes, to compete, develop and access new opportunities," said Michael Edwards, RMB Sponsorship Marketing Lead.
The move underlines how targeted sponsorship and grassroots development can create international opportunities. For Tsanyane the trip is the fulfilment of a personal ambition he spoke about earlier in the year: "I am going to compete internationally with those big lions at Mont‑Blanc," he said, expressing both awe and determination at the prospect of lining up alongside elite international athletes.
What it means for South African trail running
This is not just a chance for two individuals to race abroad. It is a tangible example that pathways established during the pandemic years can translate into real opportunities. Participation at Mont‑Blanc week, even on the periphery of the marquee ultra events, puts South African trail development on a global map and gives athletes valuable exposure to different race management, altitude and technical terrain.
For the runners, the experience will offer learning that can be passed back to their community in Durban: pacing on long ascents, technical downhill technique on rock and scree, and strategies for recovery in multi‑stage festival settings. For the sport locally, it is proof that investment — both financial and in coaching — enables talent to move from local dominance to international competition.
Come 25 August, eyes will be on Courmayeur to see how two KZN athletes cope with alpine gradients and the unique rhythm of a Mont‑Blanc week race. For now, their selection and the journey there are a small but proud victory for South African trail running.
