RACE ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA (2026)

The Race Across South Africa is an unforgettable adventure by bike which takes riders to remote parts of South Africa where they will experience the true splendour of the country and the warm hospitality of its people.

Race Across South Africa is a physically and mentally demanding undertaking – to complete this challenge, riders need to be adequately trained, equipped and prepared. Apart from the fitness, riders also need to be proficient at navigation, hiking with a bicycle and bike maintenance.

Since the route is not marked, riders need to navigate by means of maps, compass and narrative directions – the use of GPS devices during the race is not allowed and will lead to disqualification.

DATES

RASA start days on 8 - 17 June 2026
Riders have 26 Days to complete the challenge
See Draft Start Batches HERE

BASIC INFORMATION

Non-stop self-supported event, riders are not required to stop every day/night as in other stage races
There are 20 Support stations where riders must check-in. Food and basic accommodation is provided at support stations. Bedding and towels provided
Riders can pre-pack 20 x 2litre ice-cream tubs with supplies such as maps, trail food, personal medications, spares etc. These are distributed to the 20 Support stations
In addition to the 20 support stations, there are also 16 interim stops where food and accommodation is provided
Solo event and all riders are required to be self-sufficient and carry all their own personal belongings with them
No individual seconding is permitted during the event – this means that no friends, family or other supporters may meet you along the route and offer assistance during the ride

ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES (RASA 2026)

Early-bird entry R49,500 (incl. VAT) Limited to first 15 fully paid entrants (payment must be made in full within 7 days of invoice)
Normal entry R55,000 (incl. VAT) paid in full by 31 Jan 2026 (pay instalments of your choosing)
Late entry/Extended payment R56,000 (incl. VAT) paid by 30 April 2026 (pay instalments of your choosing)
Enter RASA HERE

THE ENTRY FEE COVERS THE FOLLOWING:

All meals and accommodation at support stations and interim stops whilst in competition (max 26 Days)
Pre-RASA dinner and accommodation at the pre-race briefing in Pietermaritzburg
Pizza, accommodation and breakfast at Diemersfontein on the day/night you finish. Dinner other than finish-line pizza is for rider's account
Access to the downloadable set of 1:50 000 topographical maps and narrative descriptions of the race route (Pre-printed Maps cost R1150 incl. VAT and delivery)
Transport of one small bag per rider (clothes etc) to be collected at the finish (bike bags also transported at extra cost)
Shipping of 2 litre race support boxes from Race Office (Cape Town) to support stations along the route (max 20 tubs per rider)
Official race garment - Thin polar fleece and cap
Traditional Basotho Finisher’s blanket (to all official finishers)

PAYMENT TERMS AND WITHDRAWALS

Deadline for all entry fee payments is as per entry deadline above
Start batch place is only booked once non-refundable 5% deposit paid (R2750)
You may pay in instalments of your choosing, please use same invoice number on all instalments
Withdrawals before 31 January 2026 will receive 95% refund of total entry fee
Withdrawals before 12 May 2026 will receive 85% refund of total entry fee
Withdrawals before the first batch start date will receive 70% refund of total entry fee
Withdrawals after the first batch start date are non-refundable
Optional extras will be refunded if organisers have not yet incurred cost thereof.
Entrant may elect to rollover refundable amount to entry fee the following year.
Event organisers may need to alter start batch allocations to best suit event logistics. Every effort will be made to do this to entrant requirements but altered start date does not affect payment and withdrawal terms.
If event does not take place due to Force Majeure, pandemic or political unrest then you may chose between rollover to postponed date or following year at no extra cost or refund as per above withdrawals and refund terms.

RACE ROUTE

The route follows the Freedom Trail from Pietermaritzburg to Wellington along a wide variety of off-road terrain – dirt roads, farm roads and tracks, footpaths and animal tracks.Many of the trails retrace old historic wagon routes which are no longer in regular use. Apart from the riding, there are numerous portage sections where riders will have to hike, push and even carry their bikes.

The route traverses six terrestrial biomes and the geography ranges from coastal to mountainous to semi-desert.

Anticipated temperatures during June/July can range from -15 - 35 Degrees Celcius

Visit TRAIL INFORMATION page for more route information, distance splits and ascent breakdown.