The Race Across South Africa (RASA) is a self-supported bikepacking race that takes on the legendary Freedom Trail over a distance of nearly 2,000 km. While the route detours around the most daunting portage sections, it remains a truly grueling challenge, demanding resilience, stamina, and self-reliance across South Africa’s wild and varied landscapes. Riders navigate by GPS as they traverse dirt roads, farm tracks, remote valleys, and mountain passes, covering vast stretches of terrain where support is scarce and the journey is as much a test of spirit as it is of strength. The sheer scale of the distance ensures that the Race Across South Africa stands as an epic adventure and an endurance race that pushes riders to their limits.
15 days
2000 km
25 000m
5 April 2027
GPS
There are 3 compulsory checkpoints at which food and bed are available. Apart from those three checkpoints riders are required to be fully self-supported and find their own accommodation en route or camp along the way. Riders will be provided with a full re-supply split sheet showing potential options for accommodation and food re-supply. Riders must carry everything they require including mandatory equipment. Riders may not receive any personal support/seconding whilst in competition. All riders must carry a satellite trackers with 2-way communication for live tracking and emergencies but essentially competitors take responsibility for their own safety.
PLEASE NOTE: Race info pack including final route GPX and updated re-supply splits will be sent to entrants on 28 February.
START:
CP 1:
300 km
CP 2:
630 km
CP 3:
1080 km
FINISH:
Riders need to reach the following checkpoints within the following cut-off’s to remain within the race:
-
CP1 300km 3 days 8am on 8 April 2027
-
CP2 630km 7 days 8am on 10 April 2027
-
CP3 1080km 10 days 8am on 15 April 2027
-
Finish 1986km 15 days 8am on 20 April 2027
Race Across South Africa 2027
• Entry fee R12000 (no VAT)
• Tracker rental R2000
• Entries limited to 100 riders
• Entries are SOLD OUT. Join 'Waiting List'
• Entries that are not paid within 7 days are cancelled and offered to people on waiting list (in order)
• A further 25 entries are reserved for international riders and serious podium contenders. Apply below (credentials required for podium hopefuls)
• Any of the remaining 'reserved 25 entries' not taken before 10 December will be released to all. People on waiting list will be given fist option (in order)
Entry Fee covers
• Pre-race dinner • Pre-race breakfast • Food and basic accommodation at 3 interim checkpoints • Race office support whilst in competition • Organisation of emergency evacuation • Event T-shirt and Cap • Access to all professional event photos and videos • Finishers trophy
Entry Fee excludes
• Accommodation pre and post event • Rental of satellite tracker • Food and accommodation during race other than at above-mentioned checkpoints • Evacuation from route whether emergency or elected (Race office will coordinate logistics but not cost thereof)
Payment terms
• Entries must be paid in full within 7 days of receiving your invoice • Unpaid entries will be cancelled after 7 days • Withdrawals before 31 January 2027 will receive 70% refund of total entry fee • Withdrawals after 31 January 2027 are non-refundable. • Entries can be transferred to another rider for R500 admin fee. • Deadline for entry transfers is 19 March 2027. • Person taking over the transferred entry is responsible for admin fee. • 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. • 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.
BOOK PRE RACE
ACCOMMODATION
212 Byrne Link Rd, Byrne Village, Richmond, 3780
+27 33 212 2324
reservations@oaksatbyrne.co.za
• Accom. from R650pppn sharing.
• Single from R800pppn.
• All rooms are reserved for the event so please confirm your involvement when booking.
• 20% discount when booking 3 or more consecutive nights.
• Airport transfers can also be booked via The Oaks.
BOOK POST RACE
ACCOMMODATION
R301 Jan Van Riebeeck Dve, Newtown, Wellington, 7655
hospitality@diemersfontein.co.za
• Accom. from R1100pps.
• All rooms are reserved for the event. • Please confirm your involvement when booking.
• Accom. can be booked last minute when arrival date is known.
• Cardboard boxes and bike shipping available from Diemersfontein via Race Organisers.
Sponsors
