Kanuga conquers second Badwater race
Kerrie Kanuga and Hannah Meeson
(CNS Local Life): Ultramarathon runner Kerri Kanuga has completed her second Badwater, which is considered the most demanding and extreme race on earth. As before, she was running for a cause – to raise money for Hannah’s Heroes and the St Baldrick’s Foundation, which funds childhood cancer research. Each year, 100 of the world’s best endurance athletes are selected to run the STYR Labs Badwater 135 ultramarathon; 857 people have completed the course since the race officially began in 1987, with only 275 people ever having done the race more than once.
Kanuga, Cayman’s sole representative, was one of 75 participants to compete and receive the coveted Badwater Belt Buckle for completing the race last month. The conditions this year proved tough for all athletes, due to the intense heat, stated a press release. The ultra marathon involves covering 135 miles over three mountain ranges in Death Valley’s harshest terrain. The nighttime start means athletes are up for two consecutive nights, adding sleep deprivation to the long list of challenges.
Kanuga completed the race in 36 hours 39 minutes, finishing sixth among women and 32nd overall. She pointed to the last 13 miles of the course (with 5,000 feet elevation gain) as the most difficult. This is where she said she really felt punished by the challenging course, dropping from third-place female to her final position of sixth. She added these last 13 miles have also motivated her to return immediately to training.
“I found Badwater to be a much more difficult race than last year and was pleased to finish, let alone place so well. It was so much hotter this year and the rainfall during the day of the race meant there was an intense humidity level,” she said.
“One of the things that stands out most in my mind was during one of the mountain passes, it was so hot that the thick metal in the guard rails was expanding and contracting making a groaning sound, as they buckled in the heat.”
In April this year, Kanuga completed the Marathon Des Sables (MDS) in the Sahara, where she was ranked in the top 10 females but finished 39th overall. Kanuga is now focusing on her next race, which is also an MDS, but in Peru.
Kanuga has previously raised money for Hannah’s Heroes, established by the parents of Hannah Meeson after she was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2012.
To donate to Hannah’s Heroes, go to the Ker-a-thon 2017 page on St Baldrick’s website
Thanks, and God bless you all.
Great job Kerry…you continue to amaze…you are by far the nicest nutter I know, and I tell you that to your face as you are well aware!!