Sheffield runner completes iconic Washie 100-miler
The 47th edition of the race saw 107 athletes, including 64 novices, set off from Cathcart Country Club at 5pm on Friday.
By 7pm on Saturday, 89 runners had completed the gruelling 161.4km route to the Buffalo Road Runners Club in East London, all within the strict 26-hour time limit.
Simmons (39) was the North Coast's sole entrant, finishing 37th overall in a time of 22:36:42. He completed the race on just 35 minutes of sleep over a 35-hour period.
'It is the most brutal thing I have ever done, harder than the Comrades and Ironman,' said Simmons.
A veteran of 11 Comrades Marathons (90km) and two full Ironman (226.3km) triathlons, Simmons described the Washie as a long-time dream fulfilled.
Founded in 1977 by East London runners seeking a challenge longer than the Comrades, the race follows World Athletics and Athletics South Africa rules.
While no formal qualification is required, entrants must be at least 20 years old.
Simmons said the toughest part of the race was between 11pm and 5am, running in freezing darkness with only his headlamp's 'light bubble' to guide him through the winding hills of the rural Eastern Cape.
'It was seven degrees (Celsius), and I began falling asleep, so I stopped for a quick nap in the car before setting off again with a half-hour walk to get back in the zone.'
Representing Westville Athletics Club, Simmons credited his support team – wife Romy, mother Gayle and her partner Brandon Jackson – for getting him through the challenge.
'It was a team effort. I couldn't have done it without them. They were all machines, driving, running and walking every step of the way with me.'
Romy described the event as both gruelling and unforgettable: 'It takes an enormous amount of courage, grit and determination to complete a race like that. It was a privilege to witness him achieve this personal goal,' she said.
Event manager Sian O'Keeffe added: 'Conquering this distance is tough; the mental strength needed is immense.'
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