PIETERMARITZBURG, 10 MAY 2017 – On Saturday, 6th of May 2017, hundreds of athletes descended upon The Wedge 4x4 Trail in Muldersdrift to participate in Race 10 of The Beast Challenge obstacle-course race (OCR). South Africa’s 2016 OCR Men’s Champion, Thomas ‘BeastMode’ van Tonder (Jeep Team) raced in the gruelling 15km/55 obstacle Savage Beast event, pushing him beyond his physical and mental limits, but true to Van Tonder’s grit, he defended his title as King of The Beast and claimed his unbeaten tenth Savage Beast title, adding it to his ever-increasing list of OCR titles. Van Tonder crossed the line in 01:10:12, over a minute ahead of second-placed, Michael Joubert, who finished in 01:11:27. Rounding off the top three men was Bradley Claase, who crossed the line in 01:12:58. The Beast has 3 events with the first and easiest of these is referred to as the “tame beast”, an occasionally challenging yet doable 5km course with around 15 obstacles for anyone over the age of eight who is not necessarily fit, but looking to have a good time. The “wild beast” challenge falls into the second category of races and consists of a 10km course for the fitter, more competitive types with around 30 obstacles designed to test both mental and physical strength. The final and most difficult category is ominously referred to as the “savage beast”, a name that already gives an indication of what awaits anyone willing and able to attempt it. With over 50 obstacles stretching over 15km, this event is designed to push competitors to their limits, with those who successfully finish being regarded as beasts in their own right. Says van Tonder, “What a race. I’m super stoked to add Beast #10 to my winning streak. Well done to everyone who took part, it was a gruelling day out.” Results – Beast #10 Men 1. Thomas van Tonder 01:10:12 2. Michael Joubert 01:11:27 3. Bradley Claase 01:12:58 Women 1. Mandie Landsberg 01:44:09 2. Sam Gilchrist 01:57:47 3. Cindy Wills . . .

The fourth installation of Durban’s most iconic 5km ocean swim – the Four Elements Ocean Challenge – will set off from Point Yacht Club on Saturday, 13 May. “We are really looking to boost the number of competitors participating in this year’s event which is set to be another exciting and challenging swim,” said Olivia Taylor, founder of Four Elements Conservation NPC. “The aggregate swimming distance of the previous three events swum by 229 participants, is 1 192km, and we are hoping to exceed 1 800km for all four swims with this year’s event.” Taylor established Four Elements Conservation NPC – a non-profit environmental preservation organisation – five years ago, at the age of 14. The Four Elements Ocean Challenge is one of the NPC projects that raises funds for, and awareness about, ocean conservation. The event is held as a celebration of World Oceans Day (8 June) calling for international collaboration in the preservation of oceans. This year’s World Oceans Day is themed ‘Our Oceans, Our Future’ with a focus on plastic pollution prevention and the cleaning of all marine litter. “The funds raised from this year’s swim will go towards the launch of our exciting new initiative, an online education programme focusing on environmental entrepreneurship for youth,” explained Taylor. “Conservation cannot be a side-line project practised by a select few. We are beyond that now. It needs to become a part of everyone’s consciousness, propelling all decisions going forwards.” The Four Elements Ocean Challenge is a point-to-point swim setting off from Point Yacht Club travelling about 5 kilometres to Country Club Beach (Bike and Bean) with the prize-giving following the race completion. Participants are afforded spectacular city views as well as occasional dolphin sightings while competing in the longest ocean swim event on the east coast of Africa. The entry donation of R375 per swimmer includes a cap and T-shirt in the male or female open, 30 to 49 years, . . .

DRAKENSBERG, KWAZULU-NATAL, 3 MAY 2017 – Saturday, the 29th April, saw Jeep Team trail runner, Christiaan Greyling, run the tough 62km Giant’s Cup Uncut Race at Ultra Trail Drakensberg, and win it by more than 50 minutes. Giant’s Cup Uncut (GCU) is hefty 62km non-stop traverse of the entire Giant’s Cup Hiking Trail, a certified 5-Day hike, with 2400m of vertical climb and occupies an altitude window between 1600m and 2150m. The race started at the Sani Pass Hotel and finished at the Bushman’s Nek Hotel and is entirely on mountain trail, providing runners with a uniquely pure trail running experience. Greyling crossed the finish line in first place in a time of 06:41:39. Second place went to Ben Brimble in a time of 07:32:10, and finishing in third place was Landie Greyling, in a time of 07:50:19. Says Christiaan Greyling, “In every Ultra, you reach a point where you want to give up, or at least question yourself why you are doing this. These thoughts come regardless of your speed, preparation or talent. My race went arguably well, but again I learned how easy things can go pear-shaped in an Ultra. I ran the 62km GCU in a time of 6:41, followed by Ben Brimble in a time of 7:32. We ran together for the first 25km, but the technical downhill around halfway suited my skill and I got away from the quicker Ben Brimble. The lesson? Hydration and nutrition is the most important items on race day. My first mistake was to drink less because of the colder weather. I only suffered the consequences of this after 30km, but by then it was difficult to rectify. The section from 33km to 46km had no river crossings, huge climbs and a baking morning sun. When I reached the Swiman hut (46km mark), I had to consume about 10 cups of fluid not to suffer from dehydration. Drinking water alone can further dehydrate your body as we lose both water and important minerals when we sweat. To counter negative thoughts, think positive thoughts of previous successes, future races, . . .