2OM Ultra Brett Gouveia - Conquering the Ultra Marathon 2025

A Journey with Embark

Training with Embark has been nothing short of phenomenal. The structured training blocks didn’t just prepare me physically to tackle the ultra—they built the mental strength, motivation, and confidence I needed to cross that finish line. The support from the coaches and community was next-level. I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better team to prepare with.

The Start – Settling In
As expected, the start line was a chaotic sea of thousands of runners. I eased into it with a slower pace, allowing the adrenaline to settle. Once I found my rhythm, I gradually picked up the pace. The first 20km flew by under cooler conditions, which made for a strong start.

The Course – Strategy and Support
The route itself was a mix of beautiful views and brutal climbs. Things stayed fairly flat until Noordhoek, which made it tempting to push hard—but I had to remind myself: the real work starts at Chapman’s Peak. The sun was up, the heat was rising, and Constantia Nek still lay ahead.
Around the 21km mark, I finally caught up with fellow Embark runners Ryan, Tal, and Ash, who had started ahead of me. From that point on, we formed a solid 4-man bus, rotating who led the pack and keeping each other in check. That camaraderie was absolutely key to pacing smart and pushing through the tougher segments. Toward the end, Tal and Ash surged ahead with an incredible final push—massive kudos to them for finishing so strong.

I went into this race with one goal: to finish. But secretly, I had my eye on a bronze medal (awarded for finishing under 6 hours). I'm proud to say I earned that bronze—and I’m absolutely stoked. Next year, I’ll be going in with a bigger goal now that I know what to expect.

The Finish – Wobbly Legs and Full Hearts
There’s something magical about seeing the finish line—it gives you a final surge of energy no matter how tired you are. And let’s be honest, after hours of running on the road, finishing on grass makes your legs feel like jelly!

The event was well organized, and the finish line team made sure we received the correct medals—props to the organizers for that. If you're planning to race this in the future, here’s my tip: have someone meet you at the finish with a towel, water, and snacks. The lines for food and drinks were long, and after running an ultra, standing around is the last thing you want to do. Also... be prepared for stairs on the way out. Yes, stairs. Post-ultra. You’ve been warned!
Gratitude – Fuel for the Soul

One of the biggest highlights of the day? The support. Seeing familiar Embark faces along the course was an emotional lift every time. That mental encouragement can be just as important as physical strength during a race like this, and I can’t thank everyone enough for the cheers, high-fives, and energy boosts.

What an experience. What a team. What a day. I crossed the line stronger than I thought I could, and it’s all thanks to the Embark training and community. Can’t wait for the next one.