Gill Tregenna - A Walking Legend on the Wild Coast
On our recent Mtentu Ramble along the Wild Coast, we were privileged to host a group of remarkable hikers. Among them was Gill Tregenna, an 83-year-old world record-holding race walker.
Allan Hein30 September 2025
The hiking group with the Mtentu Ramble sign
On our recent Mtentu Ramble along the Wild Coast, we were privileged to host a group of remarkable hikers. Among them was Gill Tregenna, an 83-year-old world record-holding race walker, who showed us all that age is no barrier to adventure.
Gill isn’t just another hiker. She’s a retired teacher, grandmother of two, and decorated athlete who only took up race walking in 2023 under the guidance of coach Oliver Mundell. Within months, she was smashing South African and African 10 km records, before going on in 2024 to set the world record in the 20 km race walk for women 80-84 years (2:39:07), alongside a gold medal in the 5000m. Dive into Gill’s full story here.
Reading those numbers on paper is impressive enough. But seeing Gill in action on our trail was something else entirely. Over three days and nearly 52 km of rugged coastline, she strode across beaches, climbed steep paths, and waded rivers with the same determination that carried her through those record-breaking races. At camp, she laughed with the group, swapped stories, and reminded us that strength isn’t measured only by medals, but by the spirit you bring to the journey.
She wasn’t walking alone either. Hester (79), Annette (77), and Susan (76) - her fellow “tannies” as we fondly called them, kept pace every step of the way. Watching the four of them side by side was a living reminder that adventure knows no age limit.
Table of Contents
Highlights of the Mtentu Ramble
Hikers on the coastal trail along the Wild Coast
- Mzamba Suspension Bridge: That wobbly crossing had us all gripping the rails and laughing nervously.
- Canoe rides: Paddling across river mouths where the Wild Coast opens wide.
- The Red Desert: Small but striking, its rusty sands seemed otherworldly under the midday sun.
- The Weolmi Shipwreck: A haunting reminder of the sea’s power.
- Mkambati’s waterfalls: Cascades that plunge straight into the ocean - no matter how many times we see them, they take our breath away.
The group at the Weolmi shipwreck on the Wild Coast
Evenings were filled with shared meals, hot bucket showers, and one wild “sandblasting spa treatment” gifted by the wind itself. By the end, Gill had once again covered herself in glory, not just as an athlete but as an inspiration to everyone who walked beside her.
For us, hosting her was an honour. The Wild Coast trails will remember Gill’s footsteps, but so will we, as proof that resilience, community, and curiosity can keep us all young at heart.
Would You Consider This Hike?
Hosting Gill and her fellow hikers on the Mtentu Ramble reminded us why we love guiding people along the Wild Coast. Every group brings their own energy to the trail, and every hiker leaves with a story they couldn’t have imagined at the start.
This isn’t a walk you forget. It’s three days of suspension bridges, canoe crossings, shipwrecks, waterfalls, and wild coastline that test your legs and fill your heart. Whether you’re looking for a challenge, a shared adventure, or simply a reason to step outside your comfort zone, the Mtentu Ramble delivers.
Ready to experience it for yourself?
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Ready to Experience This Yourself?
The Wild Coast is waiting. Book your guided hike with Mtentu Ramble and create memories that will last a lifetime.