17/04/2026
BACK TO THE BERG 2026. We try to take on an expedition race every two years. We met Danie and Melanie at an expedition race in Namibia, and later raced together at Magoebaskloof in September 2025. That experience worked well, and it felt natural to take the next step together with Back to the Berg.
We knew what was coming—or at least, we thought we did. This would be a tough race, and we would need to be smart to give ourselves the best possible chance of finishing. As expected, Franco designed a course that pushed even the fast, competitive teams to their limits. We are not racing for podiums; our goal was simply to complete the course. Even so, the race tested us deeply, forcing constant strategic decisions just to stay in the hunt.
The race began with a paddle—our weakest discipline. Danie and Melanie are from Namibia, where large bodies of water are rare, so confidence was limited from the start. Deep water, rough conditions, and repeated capsizes followed, resulting in a few knocks and bruises. The women were understandably shaken, and progress was painfully slow. Matters were made worse when even Bloed and Omo overtook us. It wasn’t an encouraging start.
The first bike leg proved demanding, particularly from a navigation perspective. Finding CP9 felt like a breakthrough, and from there things finally became more manageable. At Transition 2, we grabbed some sleep and gratefully devoured the sandwiches. Just as spirits lifted, the weather turned. A massive thunderstorm hit just before TA3, forcing us to huddle behind a large signboard for shelter. The final climb into TA3 was a grind, but the warmth of food and rest restored some strength.
Before the race, we had agreed that this would be the critical decision point for the Rogaine. To ensure enough time for the Via Ferrata later on, we aimed for five points and collected four checkpoints. As we stood at the lookout at sunrise, watching the valley fill with light, the effort felt worthwhile. It was a quiet, powerful moment—one we won’t forget.
The long bike leg that followed was mostly uneventful, delivering us to TA5, where steak and chips felt like luxury beyond reason. We slept again, knowing harder decisions lay ahead. With the next kayak leg offering only one checkpoint and the risk of a 12‑hour dark zone delay, we made a bold call to skip it entirely. Instead, we rode straight to Transition 7 and packed the bikes away.
On the trek toward the Via Ferrata, we met Piers, who told us of a farm shelter nearby. That news lifted morale instantly. We slept there briefly, and at daybreak were already standing at the base of the Via Ferrata. This was the undeniable highlight of the race. Fog surrounded us on the lower climbs, but the upper section opened into sunshine. We completed the Via Ferrata bathed in light—only for the fog to roll back in moments later. We felt truly blessed.
For the final trek, we chose to skip CP44, which lay far off route, and focused instead on efficiency. Passing through Witsieshoek to Alpine Heath, we reached the finish at around 22:00 on Friday night. Based on our choices, we believe we raced wisely and were satisfied with a 7th‑place finish.
Above all, we had fun. The race was filled with laughter, shared hardship, and moments of genuine connection. The team gelled exceptionally well, and racing alongside my wife was a privilege—an experience we will treasure forever.
The transitions were simpler than those we’re used to when racing with Stephan and Heidi, who spoil us with coffee and hot water. Some transitions were wet and basic, but that felt appropriate. Adventure racing shouldn’t be too comfortable. We’re deeply grateful to the marshals and medics who make races like this possible.
Adventure racing is the ultimate sport, yet so few people truly understand it. When we describe it, eyes glaze over—because it’s hard to imagine choosing something this difficult. That challenge is exactly why we moved from running into adventure racing.
We were unfamiliar with the KZN Midlands and were pleasantly surprised by the scenery. Coming from a farming background ourselves, we appreciated the neatness, efficiency, and sheer scale of the farming landscape.
The Drakensberg itself is formidable and breathtaking. We loved every moment there—especially the Via Ferrata. From up high, you can see forever, and once again, we were reminded just how small we are in the greater creation
