Events

The inaugural Munga has a fairy tale finish!

· By Press Office · 29 comments

It’s done. The morning after the inaugural Munga, I am feeling exhausted, somewhat relieved but thrilled!

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What a ride! It is not just the culmination of five frenetic days of racing, but of years of planning and dreaming. Often we attribute the genesis of an idea to a single moment in time, or a specific event. But that’s not the case with the Munga. Days, weeks spent on the bike on lonely trails, misty mornings, high up in forgotten country, wondering, sometimes doubting, but in the end believing.

My excitement was not just for John Ntuli from the #Change A Life Academy who came over the line first, 9 hours after my predicted winning time, but also for the two Wim’s who rolled in 90 mins before the five day cut-off. John was the recipient of the “Directors Cut’ entry, the person who most personified what the Munga stands for. So for him to win the inaugural race was incredibly thrilling.

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I shared in their plight, the anguish, the toil in the midday sun, scorching wind, and endless bumpy roads. To see them leave each day in the early hours and push through every type of pain confirmed once again how indomitable the human spirit is. When given the right mix of compelling ingredients, and motivating moments, people will dig deeper than ever before. They will find something else, a little bit more, somewhere, and keep going. This is what the Munga ultimately is about.

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To the 32 riders who made it to the end, I salute you! You personify the best that is human. You stand as a beacon to the discouraged that anything is possible. In you, random people found new heroes. In a strange kind of way, your journey might just have been the spark to begin their own.

Thank you for digging deep!

Alex Harris

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Comments

Guest notmyname

Dec 8, 2015, 7:13 AM

Good job Alex. From strength to strength.

Slowbee

Dec 8, 2015, 7:16 AM

"In you, random people found new heroes. In a strange kind of way, your journey might just have been the spark to begin their own."

 

THIS!

 

in everything

Stretch

Dec 8, 2015, 7:48 AM

Alex - absolutely superb race. we all enjoyed it thoroughly. during the course of the 100 page thread dedicated to the race we discussed ways to make us even more up to date with what was going on. The tracker was brilliant but sometimes we were left wondering what was going on because a popup went transparent or slowed or stopped. GU was a classic example. As spectators we were wanting to know - is it a mechanical? has he stopped to rest? it would be great to have some students on motor bikes setup between position 1 and position last to take photos - relay information - even if there is no cell coverage then two-way radio's could be used to a central communication centre..more regular twitter updates is what we were after.

 

The best part of the whole race was the lack of the glitz and glam as we see in all these stage races. The shorter timeframe when compared with the FC made it way more compelling and we were all glued to our screens for 5 solid days..and that is in your advantage. I realise of course, you need sponsors and I know the dream is to attract a sponsor for that big prize...but please dont lose sight of the fact that one of the great things about this was the lack of big corporate showing off its plumage. Next year you are going to have 2 or 3 times the entrants.....its going to be interesting to see how you approach it...best of luck and job well done

tubed

Dec 8, 2015, 8:13 AM

the hub has no peer for bringing this type of event right into our worlds, proven once again

Shebeen

Dec 8, 2015, 8:14 AM

great race Alex. There were some doubters beforehand with 'only' 43 entries, but I think it came together quite well.

 

Hopefully a big sponsor can help grow it, let's just hope it doesn't lose it's identity along the way.

EmptyB

Dec 8, 2015, 8:42 AM

Alex - absolutely superb race. we all enjoyed it thoroughly. during the course of the 100 page thread dedicated to the race we discussed ways to make us even more up to date with what was going on. The tracker was brilliant but sometimes we were left wondering what was going on because a popup went transparent or slowed or stopped. GU was a classic example. As spectators we were wanting to know - is it a mechanical? has he stopped to rest? it would be great to have some students on motor bikes setup between position 1 and position last to take photos - relay information - even if there is no cell coverage then two-way radio's could be used to a central communication centre..more regular twitter updates is what we were after.

 

The best part of the whole race was the lack of the glitz and glam as we see in all these stage races. The shorter timeframe when compared with the FC made it way more compelling and we were all glued to our screens for 5 solid days..and that is in your advantage. I realise of course, you need sponsors and I know the dream is to attract a sponsor for that big prize...but please dont lose sight of the fact that one of the great things about this was the lack of big corporate showing off its plumage. Next year you are going to have 2 or 3 times the entrants.....its going to be interesting to see how you approach it...best of luck and job well done

 

Stretch, you have summed it up for me too. Well said.

 

Congrats to Alex, the participants and all involved. Cant wait for next year...what a jol we all had following this event. :thumbup:  :thumbup:  :thumbup:

Rocket-Boy

Dec 8, 2015, 9:25 AM

Seriously looking forward to the next one, I hope some of the hubbers that are interested actually make it to the start(and finish!) line.

 

Brilliant event this one.

taito

Dec 8, 2015, 9:34 AM

when does entry`s open

Slowbee

Dec 8, 2015, 9:37 AM

when does entry`s open

now we are talking serious business ! let me go fetch my morning tea :)

 

*i wonder if I can fit a little stove in for some tea*

**Edit: a small flask with warm water will be better**

nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 9:45 AM

when does entry`s open

 

Best would be to subscribe to The Munga newsletter "The toughest newsletter on earth" and follow TheMungaMTB on Facebook and Twitter to get notified as soon as entries open or for any other relevant information

Rocket-Boy

Dec 8, 2015, 9:50 AM

I wonder how many entries they will allow and how quickly it will sell out.

Slowbee you need to do it, I badly want a hubber to cheer for!

nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 9:59 AM

I wonder how many entries they will allow and how quickly it will sell out.

Slowbee you need to do it, I badly want a hubber to cheer for!

 

So far it's:

Dirt-rider - 1st in line

nathrix ® ©™ - 2nd in line

Slowbee - 3rd in line

 

:w00t:

nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 10:01 AM

The Munga ‏@TheMungaMTB 1h1 hour ago
I know you all want info, pics etc but be patient. In good time. I'm going to head back along the route and show you where it all went down!

The Munga ‏@TheMungaMTB 2m2 minutes ago
Bain's Kloof Pass. The final drop down to the finish line.

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nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 11:17 AM

The Munga ‏@TheMungaMTB 6m6 minutes ago
Race Village 5. Eselfontein farm in Ceres. Thanks Deon and Janene!

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Slowbee

Dec 8, 2015, 11:19 AM

So far it's:

Dirt-rider - 1st in line

nathrix ® ©™ - 2nd in line

Slowbee - 3rd in line

 

:w00t:

:clap:

 

common Wheelsuck I know you want to ...

Rocket-Boy

Dec 8, 2015, 11:37 AM

So far it's:

Dirt-rider - 1st in line

nathrix ® ©™ - 2nd in line

Slowbee - 3rd in line

 

:w00t:

Sorry Nathrix, you cant do it... if you do then we will all have to check our own updates :D

Slowbee

Dec 8, 2015, 12:30 PM

just dropped Alex an email asking if he has an idea of dates for next year :)

nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 1:55 PM

The Munga ‏@TheMungaMTB 1h1 hour ago
WP 10. Tankwa Padstal. Thanks Susan! Folks, support these good people if ever in the Tankwa!

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nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 1:56 PM

he Munga ‏@TheMungaMTB 1h1 hour ago
This seemed to be a common theme! This is just before the Padstal.

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nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 4:23 PM

The Munga ‏@TheMungaMTB 1h1 hour ago
WP9. Tankwa River Lodge. Thanks Peter! If you're looking for a special place to stay in the middle of nowhere!

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nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 4:24 PM

The Munga ‏@TheMungaMTB 1h1 hour ago
Race Village 4.  The Sutherland Hotel. Thanks Milne!

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TALUS

Dec 8, 2015, 4:39 PM

I hope this gets the recognition it deserves on other  social media too. Very well done.

nathrix

Dec 8, 2015, 4:49 PM

I hope this gets the recognition it deserves on other  social media too. Very well done.

 

I hope so too. Word from some of the riders I've spoken to is that Alex did a fantastic job as race director, above and beyond!  At the water points on the farms the riders went through, the people fell over their feet to help or accommodate the riders where they could right through the nights. Alex is in fact tracing the route back at this moment stopping at each and every location to thank them for their hospitality and for making this race such a success!

Slowbee

Dec 8, 2015, 5:04 PM

i really hope he keeps the numbers down - if even 200 riders do this the "special" stuff these folk do by offering their homes goes out the window. 

 

i say keep it small, keep it exclusive, and if it works, dont be shy to charge for it

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