PICTURES: KAP sani2c nonstop event a tough mountain bike challenge
Silhouette: the magic of nonstop is a night sky full of stars and a spectacular sunrise on some of the best mountain bike trails in the country; trails that are only available during this event and the KAP sani2c 3-day event. Picture: Anthony Grote
This teamed mountain bike marathon event is a point-to-point endurance race with a 24-hour cut-off, starting at the base of the Sani Pass at 2 am and finishing on the shores of Scottburgh beach.
Covering a total distance of 256.9 kms, teams of two, three or four riders take on the race supported by a vehicle and driver, who connects with the team at a host of designated meet-up points.
While the bulk of the trails covered follow the route of the 21 year-old iconic mountain bike stage race KAP sani2c, this race is a different beast, focused on endurance and grit.
Riding through the night on spectacular singletracks and descending into the Umkomaas Valley as the sun rises, riders hope to arrive at the beach at Scottburgh before dark, but many don't. The final finishing team took 22 hours to cover the distance.
Travis Stedman and Warren Moolman, Team Toyota Specialized Melon Mobile, took the win, finishing in a time of 11:25:14, bettering the previous record by over 47 minutes.
Kevin Benkenstein and Tyronne White, Team Benky Rides, were second in 11:55:31 and in third place was Team Grit And Grind (13:21:44), made up of Marc Adam and Paul Snyman.
The 2am start at Glencairn Farm in the southern Drakensberg, called for a layered approach to clothing, as temperatures dipped well below one digit. Picture: Anthony Grote
The iconic cabbage tree at the early part of the drop into the Umkomaas Valley has become synonymous with this spectacular trail that offers the thrill of the descent along with the most breathtaking scenery. Picture: Anthony Grote
Ryan Brooke, of team UNITRANS, heads down into the Umkomaas Valley with a big smile on his face. Team UNITRANS was the first team of four to finish the race. Picture: Anthony Grote
As riders reach the lower parts of the Umkomaas Valley, they head through the switchbacks of what is known as 'Nick's Pass'. Picture: Anthony Grote
Once at the base of the Umkomaas Valley, riders criss-cross the Umkomaas River on a host of floating bridges, before the tough climb out of the valley. Picture: Anthony Grote
Once at the base of the Umkomaas Valley, riders criss-cross the Umkomaas River on a host of floating bridges, before the tough climb out of the valley. Picture: Anthony Grote
Owen Gandar manages a smile for the camera as he and teammates Paige Phillips and Lance Kime tackle the tough climb out of the Umkomaas Valley. Picture: Anthony Grote
A warm meal at Mackenzie Club and Jolivet (traditionally the overnight race villages for the three-day sani2c event), and the provisions of the support driver, ensures a well-fuelled ride. Picture: Anthony Grote
'I really loved the trails. I think these are some of the best trails around, and they are always well maintained when we get the opportunity to race them. The best part of the race for me was the first few hours of riding in the dark. It was just a new and amazing experience for me, flying through the trees on singletrack in the dark. It felt like you had tunnel vision because you could only see what your light was shining on, which was a really cool experience. I love an epic ride, and this is certainly one of them.' – Warren Moolman. Picture: Anthony Grote
Team selfies at numerous checkpoints is a hallmark of a sani2c nonstop race. Picture: Anthony Grote
PICTURES: Thousands cheer for Comrades Marathon runners
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
03-08-2025
- IOL News
Kenya's Christine Njoki smashes African all-comers record at Totalsports Women's Race Durban
Kenya's Christine Njoki crosses the finish line first at the Totalsports Women's Race Durban on Sunday in a record time of 30:13. Image: Anthony Grote Kenya's Christine Njoki stormed to the fastest 10km time on the continent by any woman as she defended her Totalsports Women's Race Durban title in a jaw-dropping time of 30:14 in perfect, sunny conditions on Sunday morning. The record was under threat early when the diminutive runner, who led from start to finish at the Suncoast Casino, went through the 5km mark in 14:45 — world record pace. She never let up in the second half on the fast, flat course, opening up a 300m gap to the chasing group as she smashed the all-comers record of 30:37. 'I feel so happy to defend my title. The race was good. I enjoy running here in South Africa and I'm so happy to run here again. And I ran my PB (personal best),' she told Independent Media after the race. Lesotho's Neheng Katala (left) beat her national 10km record at the Totalsports Women's Race Durban on Sunday, while her Hollywood Athletics club teammate Tayla Kavanagh also ran a PB at home. Image: Anthony Grote Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'I said earlier I want to chase my PB here, so I had to run faster, because if I go with other people I know I couldn't run my PB. So I had to chase my PB alone. From start to finish, I was alone.' Njoki was asked what it meant to hold the all-comers record. 'Today I made history because I could see that you can run a record on our own soil. There's no need to go to Europe to run a record — even here, you can run a record,' she said. There was a R1 million bonus on offer for anyone who could beat the women's-only 10km world record of 29:27 on the day, but that mark remains intact. Clare Ndiwa came in second in 31:37, while Jane Chacha finished third in 31:51, completing a clean podium sweep for the Kenyans. Lesotho's 10km national record holder, Neheng Khatala, delivered a superb performance to set a new national best of 31:53, securing an impressive fourth place overall. The first South African runner home was Khatala's Hollywood Athletics Club teammate, Tayla Kavanagh, who also set a new PB of 31:53 to finish fifth. 'The race was absolutely perfect, the weather was absolutely perfect,' said an elated Khatala. 'I could see on my watch that I was running at a comfortable pace. I didn't know I was on national record pace. I was just pushing with Tayla. We were communicating. From halfway, we just pushed a little more. 'It wasn't about the position — it was about us pushing through the time. We were very focused. I am so excited. I've been trying to run sub-32 for so many years.' Home favourite Kavanagh also dipped below 32 minutes for the first time in a 10km race, ensuring that South Africa featured in the top five. Last year, Njoki claimed back-to-back Totalsports Women's Race titles in Durban and Cape Town, and is confident of repeating the feat. The next race in the women-only series is on Saturday in the Mother City. 'Next week I'll run the Totalsports Women's Race in Cape Town. If the weather is the same as today, I know I will run another PB there,' said Njoki, issuing a clear warning to her rivals. Considering her form on Sunday, that is no idle threat.
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- The Citizen
PICTURES: KAP sani2c nonstop event a tough mountain bike challenge
On Saturday 21 June in the early hours of the morning, the KAP sani2c nonstop kicked off. Silhouette: the magic of nonstop is a night sky full of stars and a spectacular sunrise on some of the best mountain bike trails in the country; trails that are only available during this event and the KAP sani2c 3-day event. Picture: Anthony Grote This teamed mountain bike marathon event is a point-to-point endurance race with a 24-hour cut-off, starting at the base of the Sani Pass at 2 am and finishing on the shores of Scottburgh beach. Covering a total distance of 256.9 kms, teams of two, three or four riders take on the race supported by a vehicle and driver, who connects with the team at a host of designated meet-up points. While the bulk of the trails covered follow the route of the 21 year-old iconic mountain bike stage race KAP sani2c, this race is a different beast, focused on endurance and grit. Riding through the night on spectacular singletracks and descending into the Umkomaas Valley as the sun rises, riders hope to arrive at the beach at Scottburgh before dark, but many don't. The final finishing team took 22 hours to cover the distance. Travis Stedman and Warren Moolman, Team Toyota Specialized Melon Mobile, took the win, finishing in a time of 11:25:14, bettering the previous record by over 47 minutes. Kevin Benkenstein and Tyronne White, Team Benky Rides, were second in 11:55:31 and in third place was Team Grit And Grind (13:21:44), made up of Marc Adam and Paul Snyman. The 2am start at Glencairn Farm in the southern Drakensberg, called for a layered approach to clothing, as temperatures dipped well below one digit. Picture: Anthony Grote The iconic cabbage tree at the early part of the drop into the Umkomaas Valley has become synonymous with this spectacular trail that offers the thrill of the descent along with the most breathtaking scenery. Picture: Anthony Grote Ryan Brooke, of team UNITRANS, heads down into the Umkomaas Valley with a big smile on his face. Team UNITRANS was the first team of four to finish the race. Picture: Anthony Grote As riders reach the lower parts of the Umkomaas Valley, they head through the switchbacks of what is known as 'Nick's Pass'. Picture: Anthony Grote Once at the base of the Umkomaas Valley, riders criss-cross the Umkomaas River on a host of floating bridges, before the tough climb out of the valley. Picture: Anthony Grote Once at the base of the Umkomaas Valley, riders criss-cross the Umkomaas River on a host of floating bridges, before the tough climb out of the valley. Picture: Anthony Grote Owen Gandar manages a smile for the camera as he and teammates Paige Phillips and Lance Kime tackle the tough climb out of the Umkomaas Valley. Picture: Anthony Grote A warm meal at Mackenzie Club and Jolivet (traditionally the overnight race villages for the three-day sani2c event), and the provisions of the support driver, ensures a well-fuelled ride. Picture: Anthony Grote 'I really loved the trails. I think these are some of the best trails around, and they are always well maintained when we get the opportunity to race them. The best part of the race for me was the first few hours of riding in the dark. It was just a new and amazing experience for me, flying through the trees on singletrack in the dark. It felt like you had tunnel vision because you could only see what your light was shining on, which was a really cool experience. I love an epic ride, and this is certainly one of them.' – Warren Moolman. Picture: Anthony Grote Team selfies at numerous checkpoints is a hallmark of a sani2c nonstop race. Picture: Anthony Grote PICTURES: Thousands cheer for Comrades Marathon runners
IOL News
08-06-2025
- IOL News
10 Lamontville swimmers set to compete in Oceans 8 Charity Swim
Ten young swimmers from Lamontville township have been sponsored by Balwin Foundation NPC to compete in the Oceans 8 Charity Swim. Image: Anthony Grote Photography) Ten young swimmers from Lamontville township in Durban, will make waves at this year's Oceans 8 Charity Swim, thanks to sponsorship from the Balwin Foundation NPC. The group, from Lamontville Swimming Academy (LSA), will take part in the high-profile open-water event at Vetch's Beach on 14 and 15 June. The Oceans 8 Charity Swim is a unique event founded by charities for charities, benefiting 14 non-profit organisations across KwaZulu-Natal. For the LSA swimmers, it is a rare opportunity to compete on a big stage and raise their community's profile in the sport. 'We are thrilled to be part of the 2025 Oceans 8 Charity Swim, standing in support of the Youth Development Programme that is changing lives through access to swimming education,' said Ryan Kalk, Joint-MD of Balwin Foundation NPC. 'This powerful initiative aligns closely with our own Learn2Swim Programme, a cornerstone of Balwin Foundation's commitment to water safety, youth empowerment, and sustainable community development.' Balwin Foundation is sponsoring six boys and four girls from LSA. The swimmers, who have trained extensively, will test their endurance and resilience in open water. LSA was founded by coach Lungisani Zulu to offer local youth an alternative to the daily challenges of township life, including crime, drugs, and unemployment. The Academy has already trained numerous swimmers who now serve as lifeguards across Durban's beaches. 'As a coach, it's been inspiring to work with such a dedicated group in our swimming club,' Zulu said. 'These young swimmers are showing real character, training hard, and aiming high. Some have already competed and done incredibly well. We all share the same vision, to grow in the sport, compete on big stages, and represent our community with pride.' Zulu dreams of even greater success for his young charges: 'We've already produced many lifeguards serving across Durban's beaches, but my dream is to one day see the first swimmer from our community stand on the Olympic podium. With support from Oceans 8, Arena, Balwin Foundation NPC, and our local leaders, we're building something powerful.' This year marks the second time LSA swimmers will participate in Oceans 8. In 2024, an anonymous donation enabled four swimmers to enter the event as part of the Youth Development Swimmers Programme, an experience that brought valuable exposure and new sponsorships. Event spokesperson Nicci Carvalho said: 'We are so excited to host swimmers from the LSA again this year and are incredibly grateful to Balwin Foundation NPC for supporting our Youth Development Swimmers Programme. Together, we're opening up opportunities and creating real change in and out of the water.' Online entries for the Oceans 8 Swim close on June 12, but swimmers can still sign up on the day at Vetch's Beach. For more information visit THE MERCURY
