As one journey ends, another begins | 28 April 2026

As the Race Across South Africa draws to a close, what lingers is not only the achievements of the riders, but the spirit that carries them. A quiet, unwavering camaraderie and a reminder of just how gorgeous this country truly is. Our beautiful South Africa.

Again and again it is the landscapes that take your breath away. Our riders, our hosts, and most strikingly, the kind people along the way. There is a thread of kindness and openness that runs through even the most remote parts of the route, something that stays with you long after the riders have passed through.

There is also something deeply human in what unfolds during a race like this. The shared struggle, the small moments of connection, the resilience, and the quiet support between riders and those following along. It becomes more than an event. It becomes something felt.

Moments that stayed with us…

Among it all, it is the individual stories that leave the deepest mark.

Drikus Coetzee’s relentless push to the finish stands out. A monster effort. But beyond the physical achievement, it was a voice note he shared that revealed something more: a man of integrity, deep honesty, and quiet kindness. Drikus took the time to engage with hosts, with our buffalo herders and people along the route. He embodied the spirit of the race in a way that went far beyond the ride itself.

Sarah Van Heerden, our woman’s winner, carried more than just her own journey. Sarah rode in support of The Brown Dogs raising generous financial support for the Kloof SPCA. It was a simple and powerful reminder that these rides can hold real heart and real meaning. Thank you for caring, Sarah.

Then there were moments of pure life. Ingrid Avidon’s video recording from the back of a taxi. Music playing, laughter in the air, somewhere between towns. Was it Jamestown, was it Aberdeen? It was unfiltered, unplanned, and impossible to manufacture. Her ever-growing intimate relationship with a boiled egg named Wilson kept our,  and I’m sure Ingrid’s, spirits alive.

There has been something especially powerful unfolding in the story of three generations riding as one. A grandfather Tim (74 yrs), a father Brett (52 yrs), and a son Zach (22 yrs), affectionately known as the Van Coller trio. From the start, they have ridden a remarkable race, but it is in these final hours that their story has truly held everyone.

Through brutal weather and relentless headwinds, they have pushed on toward the Tuesday 8 a.m. cut-off, carrying not just their own effort, but each other. A voice note from the son captured it best. Pulling his grandfather forward while his father get resupplies, determined to rejoin them to get them to the finish.

Now, at the time of writing, and as they climb Bainskloof in the early hours of the morning, there is a sense of something gathering. The plan to push to the top and regroup before making their final push down to the finish line together feels like more than strategy. It feels symbolic.

It has been deeply moving to watch. Not just the ride itself, but the way the community has rallied behind them. Waking in the early hours, following every update, willing them forward on their last day of a massive . 

These are the moments that stay with us. The ones that make following the race not just engaging, but so incredibly meaningful. It’s truly inspiring.

To all the riders. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey, and for making it something we could all feel connected to.

And just as this chapter closes, another begins to gather momentum.

With the Freedom Challenge set to start at 6am on 8th June, there is already a sense of anticipation building. A familiar mix of excitement,  those butterflies dancing in your stomach along with something quite impossible to explain. The kind of feeling that settles in your chest when you know something meaningful is about to unfold.

Soon, the dots will begin to move again. Riders will set off across the country carrying that same spirit. Into the wind, soaked by rain, covered in mud, and guided by the vast, quiet spaces in between.

In many ways, it does not feel like one journey ending and another beginning, but rather a continuation. A thread that runs through it all.

And once again, we will follow.