British athlete Tom Evans has determined to withdraw from the Nov. 26 Extremely-Path Cape City (UTCT, a part of the UTMB sequence) in South Africa after being mugged whereas on a coaching run. In July, Evans, a former British Military Captain, turned the primary Briton ever to win the legendary Western States 100. Evans, 31, had been excited to deal with UTCT 100K as the ultimate race of his 2023 season, however an surprising assault derailed his racing plans and has the runner headed residence.

“I’ve determined to not race in UTCT subsequent weekend, Evans shared on Instagram.”I used to be out on the paths yesterday and I used to be mugged, I used to be overwhelmed up, I used to be attacked, I used to be held at knifepoint, and the whole lot that I had with me was taken.”

The runner’s wedding ceremony ring, Garmin watch and iPhone had been taken after two males ambushed him on a solo coaching run on Desk Mountain in Cape City, Athletics Weekly reported. The athlete was rugby-tackled by two males, and fought again, till one of many males pulled out a machete from his backpack. He was reluctant to surrender his wedding ceremony ring–of sentimental worth after not too long ago celebrating his one-year anniversary with triathlete Sophie Caldwell. “As soon as the knife was at my throat they made it very clear they’d kill me if I carried on preventing so I ended.”

Rattling – that is scary. Glad he is caring for himself.

— Amelia Boone (@ameliaboone) November 18, 2023

“The knife was pushed in more durable [to his neck] and I believed Sophie would moderately have me again in a single piece than the ring, so I took it off and gave it to them–which was so very arduous to do,” Evans mentioned. The attackers instructed Evans to not comply with as they ran off, and Evans headed to seek out assist and report the crime. “Bodily my physique is OK. I’m fairly overwhelmed up and extremely sore at the moment. However mentally it’s simply making an attempt to recover from one thing like this, doing one thing you’re keen on..it simply appears so surprising and occurred so shortly.”

“For these in Cape City, take care of your self and people round you and please keep secure, Evans mentioned.”It’s been an superior yr and I received’t let two criminals spoil my yr on the paths.”

Stuart McConnachie, race director of Extremely-Path Cape City, mentioned: “We’re extraordinarily saddened and anxious by what occurred to Tom Evans and have reached out to him to supply our help and entry to counselling. We had been excited to have him race at this yr’s RMB Extremely-trail Cape City however respect his choice to return to the U.Ok.”

With greater than 400 worldwide runners coming to Cape City for the race, and over 2,000 runners competing, UTCT has “elevated safety deployments across the total route,” says McConnachie.”This contains group police, personal safety, Metro Police and horseback patrols in sure areas.”