What is the History of The Otter Run?

The inaugural Otter Run was staged in September 2009 running in conjunction with the Southern Storm. The first Otter Run, which attracted some of the best endurance athletes in Africa, was described by hardened trail runners as “the pinnacle of a life time spent pursuing outdoor endurance events.” In 2009 80 participants completed the Otter Run as day two of the six day staged duathlon- The Southern Storm.

• The inaugural Otter Men’s race was won by Iain don Wauchope (ZA) in a time of 4:59:02
• The Woman’s race was won by Sue don Wauchope (ZA) in a time of 5:58:07
• The Male’s Vet race was won by Nick Bester (ZA)  in a time of 5:33:04
• The Ladies Vet race was won by Rhona Zonnenstein (ZA)  in a time of 6:36:09

2010 the OTTER was again run in conjunction with the Southern Storm.

• Winning Time of the OTTER Men’s race was 4:48:53 and won by Andre Gie (ZA)
• The Woman’s race was won by Jeannie Bomford (ZA) in a time of 5:17:12 (ladie’s record)
• The Male’s VET race was won by Trevor Tourien (ZA) in a time of 5:13:03
• The Woman’s VET race was won by Michelle Lombardi (ZA) in a time of 05:22:39

2011 the OTTER became a stand-alone Event: Otter Run (8 hours cut-off) and Otter Ramble (11 hours cut-off)
The Master Category (+50 years) was introduced

• Winning Time of the OTTER Men’s race was won in a record time of 4:40:15 by Ryan Sandes (ZA)
• The Woman’s race was won by Sue Don-Wauchope (ZA) in a time of 5:17:12
• The Male’s VET race was won by Bruce Arnett (ZA)  in a time of 04:51:55
• The Woman’s VET race was won by Caitlin Lewis (ZA) in a time of 07:06:16
• The Male’s MASTER race was won by Mark Preen (ZA) in a time of 05:08:50
• The Woman’s MASTER were behind cut-off.

2012 saw the First ever “UP” Run – the direction of the OTTER was turned around:
Race Start in Nature’s Valley and Finish at Stormsriver Mouth – the RETTO (OTTER backwards)

• Winning Time of the OTTER- RETTO Men’s race was won in a time of 4:23:24 by Iain Don Wauchope (ZA)
• The Woman’s race was won by american athlete Krissy Moehl (USA) in a time of 5:25:59
• The Male’s VET race was won by frenchman Sebastian Chaigneau (FR) in a time of 04:55:58
• The Woman’s VET race was won by Jacoline Haasbroek (ZA) in a time of 5:27:14
• The Male’s MASTER race was won by Eric Wedepohl (ZA) in a time of 06:25:10

2013 back to The Otter Classic Run
Race Start in Stormsriver Mouth and Finish at Natures Valley

• Winning Time of the OTTER Men’s race was won in a new record time of 4:15:27 by Ricky Lightfoot (UK)
• The Woman’s race was won by New Zealander athlete Ruby Muir (NZ) in a time of 4:55:48
• The Male’s VET race was won by Nic de Beer (ZA) in a time of 04:55:44
• The Woman’s VET race was won by Chantel Nienaber (ZA) in a time of 5:51:12
• The Male’s MASTER race was won by legend Noel Ernstzen (ZA) in a time of 04:57:40
• The Woman’s MASTER race was won by Maxine Reilly(ZA) in a time of 07:38:53

2014 the second Otter RETTO
Race Start in  Natures Valley and Finish in Stormsriver Mouth

• Winning Time of the OTTER Men’s race was won by Iain Don Wauchope (ZA) who broke his own record by 2 minutes in a time of 4:21:30
• The Woman’s race was won by Landie Greyling (ZA) in a time of 5:11:46
• The Male’s VET race was won by Nico Schoeman (ZA) in a time of 05:13:41
• The Woman’s VET race was won by Alison Misselhorn (ZA) in a time of 06:27:39
• The Male’s MASTER race was won by legend Keith Moodie (ZA) in a time of 06:47:58

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Retto & Classic Route

For many the Otter African Trail run has established itself as the yardstick by which trail runners measure themselves and as such there was much interest in the times posted. Ryan Sandes’ 2011 record of 04:40:15 in the Otter Classic course was regarded as the bar in the mens’ race and naturally there was much speculation, particularly in the media, as to if his time could be bettered. Iain Don Wauchope blitzing of the Retto course in 04:23 stunned South African Trail Running with many acclaiming “a new record.” This is in fact slightly misleading. Just as the Comrades Marathon has an up run and a down run, so too The Otter African Trail Run has two courses; the Classic and the Retto, and as such each has its own record and record holders. Comparisons are unavoidable. However, as anyone who has done both will attest, the two courses differ and are very different races.

Over the years both records have been broken year after year. Ricky Lightfoot (2013) and Ruby Muir (2013) hold the records for the Classic Course while Iain Don Wachoupe (2014) and Landie Greyling (2014) hold the records for the Retto.

Which is the harder course, the Otter Retto or the Otter Classic?

Feedback from runners who have done both courses overwhelmingly seemed to indicate that most found the Retto course the harder of the two. Negotiating the treacherous Waterfall section between Ngubu Hut and Storms River Rest Camp with tired legs seemed to be the most common reason cited for the perceived difference but the different gradients of the climbs was also suggested. Harder it may be, statistics seem to indicate that the Retto is the more achievable race (within the time limits) and perhaps the faster course.

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