Hotazel, a small town in the Northern Cape is home to some of South Africa's biggest manganese mines. The town is situated in a desert region, with sweltering temperatures during the day, plays host to this short but tough race.
The temperatures alone, dissuade many riders from taking the start line, instead taking shelter from the heat in one of the local game lodges. The riders that do however start, are faced with...
Read moreHotazel, a small town in the Northern Cape is home to some of South Africa's biggest manganese mines. The town is situated in a desert region, with sweltering temperatures during the day, plays host to this short but tough race.
The temperatures alone, dissuade many riders from taking the start line, instead taking shelter from the heat in one of the local game lodges. The riders that do however start, are faced with 64 kilometers of pure suffering. The short distance more than negated by the hot sun baking down on the riders.
As the late afternoon approaches, the riders will near the finishing town of Kuruman, with the locals lining the main street as the riders pull the last bit of strength from their dehydrated bodies to line up for the sprint down the town's main road, Die Oog their final destination.
The victor will have the privilege of being the first person to cool down in the cool waters of Die Oog, the biggest fresh water spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
The finishers will all want to return to this race, as nothing comes close to the pure bliss of relaxing in the cool waters of Die Oog, a gem in the middle of the desert. Definitely a race not to be missed.
