Having
recently
announced
its
membership
of
the
International
Skyrunning
Federation
(ISF),
the
South
African
Skyrunning
Association
(SASA)
will be sending
a
representative
athlete
to
the Sierre-Zinal Skymarathon in Switzerland this week, race number 3
on the Skyrunning
World
Series
circuit.
With
a
heritage
that
spans
almost
40
years,
the“Race
of
Five
4000m
Peaks”
as
it
is
otherwise
known,
is
one
of
the
premier
mountain
running
events
on
the
European
calendar,
providing
a
challenge
for
all
the
runners
toeing
the
start
line
come
August
12th..
31
kilometres,
2800m
of
vertical
ascent
and
the scenic
backdrop
of
the
Valais'
Alps
awaits
runners
from
all
over
the
world,
testing their mountain
running
skills
to
the
limits.
With
the
opportunity
having been presented by the ISF to
send
an
athlete
to
the
Sierre-Zinal
Skymarathon,
and based firmly upon her impressive track record at some of South
Africa's toughest trail and ultra events over the past 12 months,
SASA
named Linda
Doke.
The
Hout
Bay
resident
will
be
heading
to
the
small
alpine
village
of
Zinal
this week
not
only
to
compete
amongst
some
of
Europe's
top
runners,
but
also
to
represent
SASA
and
soak
up
the
Skyrunning
concept,
as
the association embarks
on
developing
a
national
Skyrunning
circuit
on
home
soil
in
years
to
come.
“With
my
focus
for
the
trip
being
more
on
representing
SASA
than
on
trying
to
race,
I’m
hoping
that
I’ll
be
able
to
bring
home
to
South
Africa
a
reality
of
the
fantastic
potential
that
our
dramatic
landscapes
have
to
offer
as
a
venue
for
the
concept
of
Skyrunning,”
says
Linda.
“I
have
absolutely
no
doubt
that
the
idea
of
introducing
to
South
Africa
a
Skyrunning
series
as
there
is
in
Europe
will
take
off
like
wild
fire,
and
that
trail
runners
across
the
country
will
be
scrambling
to
take
part
in
such
a
series.”
With
the
course
record
being
held
by
none
other
than
New
Zealand's
Jonathan
Wyatt,
multiple
mountain
running
trophy
winner,
it’s
sure
to
be
an
exciting
event
so
look
out
for
more
details
closer
to
the
event,
as
well
as
on
race
day,
by
following
SASA
on
Twitter
(http://www.twitter.com/SkyrunningSA)
or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/skyrunningsa)
For
more
information
about
the
Sierre-Zinal,
head
to
the
official
website
by
clicking
here:
http://www.sierre-zinal.com/
