A local military couple did battle in Africa last month — against themselves. And won.
St. Albertans Kristine Self and Michael Mueller, who are both majors in the Canadian Armed Forces, completed the Namibia Crossing ultramarathon, a 200-km race comprised of five stages that took place over five days this past June.
The race gets its name because the normal race route takes runners from South Africa into Namibia through an unmanned border. However, there were some logistical issues when planning the 2024 race, the first since 2019, due to COVID. Organizers were unable to secure permission to have the race cross the border, so the route was changed and the stages adjusted to run entirely in South Africa.
Stage one consisted of a 36-km run with 735 metres of climbing and took place from Helskloof Gate to Hakkiesdoring. Stage two was another 36-km run with 900 meters of ascent and ended in De Hoop. The third stage was the first ultra stage (any stage over 42.2 km in length) of the race and consisted of 43 km of running, ending in Sendelingsdrif. The fourth stage, and longest stage, was 44 km and took the runners from BoPlaas to Old/Ai-/Ais. The final 26-km stage took the athletes to /Ai-/Ais.
"I started trail running in 2016 because Michael loves trail running," said Self. "I never enjoyed trail running but he wanted to do one on his birthday so I had to say yes. Then I fell in love with it.
"After the race I got an invite to do another run so I signed up for a 5-km race. Then I switched to a 12-km race a week later, and then I eventually ended up running a 30-km race for my second ever race."
The Namibia Crossing requires runners to be in peak physical shape, which Self attributed to her and her husband's work in the Canadian Armed Forces.
"We have to be in great shape for our job. They make us do a fitness test every year."
Self said the Forces have been very supportive of the couple.
"They encourage us, our chain of command is very supportive. All of the support they gives us makes a big difference for us when were competing."
What made the gruelling race special for Self was that they did it together.
"I cannot put into words how special it is, and how fortunate I am to do this with him. I am so grateful to be able to do this together.
"We actually do our own training plans so this is one of the few times we get to run together because Mike is faster. He would have won the men's race if he ran at his pace instead of mine. He sacrifices a lot to run with me and I am so grateful for that."
Self was the first-place finisher for the women and Self and Mueller were the second overall team.
