Fire Escape

Ahead of us – on the road leading home – was a wall of smoke high enough to cover the sun. We could also see flames... and the fire was moving fast towards us!

- Emily Allan

I have been trail running for 10 years and have had some amazing adventures all around our country. I always try to be run prepared for anything, so we carry extra food, warm gear, and of course cellphones.

But when facing a runaway fire in the Drakensberg mountains this year, I realised that sometimes you have to rely on instinct, quick thinking, and a little bit of luck.

On Saturday 18 August, a group of 10 trail runner friends set off from Injisuthi Camp. It was a beautiful morning, and although the predicted wind had started blowing, it wasn’t too bad. Between us we had plenty of Berg and trail running experience. This wasn’t our first adventure, but it was my first run at Injisuthi.

After a few kilometres, our group split up into those running to the top and back and those sticking to the contour paths below. My husband Chris and I, with friends Blake Mackay-Leslie and Pippa McGregor, spent the morning running through the beautiful valleys and swimming at the Marble Baths that Injisuthi is famous for.

The sun was out and there was a cool breeze: Perfect running conditions. Unfortunately, after about 12km we turned back because we couldn’t find the contour path that looped back to camp.

Smoke on the horizon