2018 Results

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Wheels took 1st place! Congratulations Junstin & Andre!

OVERALL WINNERS:

1st Justin Armstrong & Andre Dempers (mountain biking team)

2nd James Heydenrych – (mixed discipline paraglide & trail run)

3rd Ben Arnold (paragliding)

 

Total event distance in 2018:

Straight line 136km

Run / hike approx. 196km

Cycle approx. 372km

 

Solo Mixed Discipline Throughout:

1st James Heydenrych (paragliding & trail running)
2nd Hendrik van Zyl (paragliding, trail running & mountain biking)

 

Single Discipline Throughout - Mountain Biking:

1st Justin Armstrong & Andre Dempers (team)

 

Single Discipline Throughout - Paragliding:
1st Ben Arnold

2nd  Jeremy Holdcroft

3rd Ria Moothilal

 

Single Discipline Throughout – Trail Running:

1st Vanessa Fisher

2nd  Neel Breitenbach

3rd David Barkhuizen

The 2018 X-Berg Challenge was one of the most exciting races in years! The leading pack were neck-on-neck coming into the final stages of the race. Following the event in real time via live tracking thanks to SPOT trackers had us sitting on the edge of our seats!

Day 1 was action packed with all the athletes racing from the start line at Oliviershoek Border Post (Phatt Chef Roadside Diner BB/Windmill Farm) towards Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge. Trail runner David Barkhuisen took an early lead but only two kilometers from the turn point at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge, paraglider James Heydenrych got airborne and moved to 1st position which he held on to for most of the race. Mountain biking team Justin Armstrong & Andre Dempers arrived 3rd at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge with the rest of the pack in close pursuit. Some athletes stopped their race between Witsieshoek and Didima area (thankful to have some ici-Co Herbal gel to soothe some aches and pains and a Cross Country Magazine to pass some time waiting for the leaders to arrive in the Champagne Valley!).

Trail runner Vanessa Fisher kept up a phenomenal pace throughout showing the guys that ladies are real contenders in this unique race! She was closing in on the lead at some points throughout day 3 of the race. Paragliding pilot Ben Arnold made fantastic progress racing passed Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's Monk's Cowl and Injusuthi parks to catch up with the leading pack on day 3 of the race and overtook Vanessa on day 4. Out in front James Heydenrych alternated between paragliding & trail running, topping up on RaceFood bars & keeping hydrated thanks to aQuelle water. He stayed in front until the last turn point at White Mountain where mountain bike team Justin Armstrong and Andre Dempers shot ahead to reach the finish line at Drakensberg Breweries first. Only Justin, Andre & James reached the finish line before cut off at 16h00 on day 4 of the 2018 X-Berg Challenge.

Well done to all athletes and a huge thanks to the support crews and the 2018 X-Berg Challenge sponsors!!

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