South Africa gets its first taste of the Spartan Race

Obstacle race organisers Spartan hosted its first Obstacle Course Race (OCR) on South African soil.

It follows after athletes took on a workout event at the Jozi X Adventure Centre in Bryanston on 20 October, as reported in Overcome all obstacles, Week ending 26 October, 2018.

Fast-forward to 27 October, and the Kings Kloof course in Muldersdrift featured plenty of technical terrain, incredibly steep elevation and signature Spartan obstacles which, by design, pushed competitors to their limits.

The race attracted more than 1 200 competitors, among them some top local athletes, as well as plenty of newcomers.

The event featured a ‘sprint’ category with 7,6km of terrain and 20 obstacles and a challenging ‘super’ with 15,3km of unrelenting terrain and 25 obstacles. There was also a Spartan Kids race for children aged 6 to 13.

From the outset, the elite race was dominated by three athletes, but it was Armin Botha who crushed the course and was first to cross the finish line taking the title as South Africa’s first Spartan in the Elite Super category in a time of 2:08:24.

Botha, who has been off for four months with a back injury said it was good to be back.

Taking the final obstacle in his stride, 30-year-old Bradley Claase came in looking strong about two minutes later, with an impressive finish of 2:10:58.

Claase said that it was a fast start, technical with great obstacles, challenging but fun.

With temperatures soaring into the 30s, many of the athletes welcomed the 200m swim, despite it being right near the end of the course.

“I really enjoy the Spartan format, it’s a well-balanced race and anyone from beginners to elites can participate,” said Claase.

Third in the elite division went to local Magaliesburg resident, Thomas van Tonder who finished in 2:12:13.

“I am super stoked to have the backing of the international Spartan brand in SA,” Van Tonder said.

“It gives great credibility to the OCR scene and will grow the sport locally and I look forward to supporting the Spartan brand in South Africa.

“I couldn’t catch those snakes in the front but they must watch their backs, I’m coming for them.”

The first lady home in the Women’s Elite Super, who also placed fifth overall in a time of 2:38:22, was Nedene Cahill.

The Durban-based athlete who only entered the obstacle race scene a year-and-half ago said the race was technical and tough but she loved it.

With her first podium finish, Cahill added, “I feel honoured and privileged to be the first female Spartan to cross the finish line in South Africa.”

Talitha Scholtz placed second in 2:53:14, finishing 10th overall.

“The hills were long, torturous and technical,” said Scholtz. “It was brutal.”

The third lady home was another Durbanite, Lisha Sookan, who wrapped up the course in 2:56:54.

Marco Caromba, Spartan’s operating partner in South Africa, confirmed that there are likely to be at least three Spartan events on the race calendar next year.

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