Reunion race most gruelling for Meyer

PORT Elizabeth extreme athlete Russell Meyer concedes that the annual Diagonale des Fous (Diagonal of Fools) race on the Island of Reunion was one of the toughest races of his life.

Meyer, 36, of Lorraine was one of the 2795 athletes who celebrated the race's 20th anniversary by crossing from St Phillip (south side) to St Dennis (north side) of the island covering more than 180km distance.

He said the race celebrated the island's history and culture and he was one of the 10 South Africans who entered it.

"I finished the race in 66 hours and 35 minutes having slept about two hours. We ran over the volcano, rivers, national parks, mountains down to the coast and back into the mountains."