Two KwaZulu‑Natal trail runners will take local talent to the Alps later this month. Durban’s LIV2Run athletes Tsielo Tsanyane and Sinovuyo Ndlovu will make their international debut in Courmayeur, Italy, on 25 August when they compete in the Experience Trail Courmayeur (ETC) as part of HOKA UTMB Mont‑Blanc week.
From the Drakensberg to Mont‑Blanc week
Tsaved by a development programme that sprang up during the Covid‑19 years, the pair have steadily risen through South Africa’s trail ranks. Tsanyane, 27, reclaimed his DRJ25 (Drakensberg Rock Jumper 25km) title at the RMB Ultra‑train Drakensberg (RMB UtD) in April and is now not only LIV2Run’s top athlete but also one of its coaches. Ndlovu, 30, has been described by the programme as another leading talent whose selection underscores the pathway the initiative seeks to create.
“I am going to compete internationally with those big lions at Mont‑Blanc,” Tsanyane said. “I would love to go there and challenge those guys running on those big mountains.”
Their entry is the product of local support. The LIV2Run programme receives backing from RMB, and a South African based in London, James Miller, has raised funds to help the athletes travel. Michael Edwards, RMB’s sponsorship marketing lead, said the bank’s support aimed to grow the sport and create meaningful pathways for talented athletes.
“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,” Edwards said.
What the ETC course entails
Although the ETC is a relatively short race by ultra standards — a 15km distance — it is far from easy. The route in Courmayeur accumulates about 1,200m of elevation gain and, according to descriptions used by trail runners, amounts to the effort of a much longer climb. The race carries a 4‑hour 30‑minute cutoff, reflecting the technical and vertical nature of the course.
- Event: Experience Trail Courmayeur (ETC), part of HOKA UTMB Mont‑Blanc week
- Date: 25 August
- Distance: 15km
- Elevation gain: 1,200m
- Cutoff time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Local significance and athlete development
LIV2Run grew out of efforts to broaden access to trail running during the pandemic and has become a notable pathway for riders from KwaZulu‑Natal’s hills and coastal trails to step onto bigger stages. For communities such as Ndwedwe and other parts of KZN, athletes reaching international events demonstrate both individual commitment and the value of targeted support from sponsors and diaspora fundraisers.
Tsanyane’s progress — from local mountain races to coaching younger runners while still competing — exemplifies how development programmes can foster leaders as well as athletes. For Ndlovu, joining the Mont‑Blanc week roster is an opportunity to test skills on highly technical alpine terrain against seasoned international competition.
Practical context for local runners and supporters
The ETC’s steep profile means preparation differs from flatter trail events common in KwaZulu‑Natal. Climbs, rapid descents and variable alpine weather demand specific gear and pacing:
- Expect a higher vertical load than the nominal 15km suggests — runners describe the effort as closer to a longer mountain race once ascent is considered.
- Technical trail shoes and poles may be advantageous on steep sections.
- Acclimatisation to altitude and cooler temperatures can affect performance; race cutoffs are generous because of the route’s difficulty.
For local running clubs and aspiring athletes, the trip by Tsanyane and Ndlovu is a reminder that targeted support and consistent racing can open doors to international events.
Looking ahead
The two athletes from Durban will carry local hopes to the Alps later this month. Their participation is a credit to the work of LIV2Run, the backing of RMB and the fundraising efforts that helped secure their places. For KZN’s trail community, their outing in Courmayeur will be watched with keen interest — both for the result and for what it signals about the growing pipeline of talent from the province to the global trail scene.
