Mediclinic supports Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon

Posted on 26 October 2012

In this team pic are: Gillian Mills (RN), Caroline Murray (RN), Charles Lawton (medic), and in the front row our two lovely doctors Johan Ellis and Janneline Killops.

The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is one of the top extreme runs in the world and has made it onto the world renown Endurance Life bucket list. This desert run takes place in the Kalahari desert and is a seven day stage run covering 250 km. Extreme athletes from all over the globe participate in this event which is a typical self-sufficient run. Twenty seven South Africans and 17 runners from countries as far afield as China, Singapore, Turkey, France and the UK will set off on this gruelling run. Athletes carry all their equipment, water and food and may only receive medical assistance en route.

The Mediclinic events team, a team specialising in supporting extreme sporting events, is on hand to provide medical assistance around the clock. Drs. Johan Ellis and Jann Killops, assisted by Caroline Murray RN, Gillian Mills RN and medic Charles Lawton, will follow the runners in 4×4 vehicles and set up clinics at overnight stops. Foot injuries such as blisters and chaffing, muscle strains and dehydration are the biggest threats to these brave sportsmen and women. Snake and insect bites are also a real threat.

This race is right up there with other extreme events such as the Grand to Grand Ultra, 5-day run through the Grand Canyon and the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, a 100-mile mountain trail run through the southern Alps in France, Switzerland and Italy.

The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.