The fifth Beast obstacle course challenge proved to be toughest for winners, Thomas van Tonder and Carina Marx, on 11 June.
Both athletes, from the Jeep Team, claimed the respective Men’s and Woman’s titles at the event which took place at the Wedges in Muldersdrift.
The Beast, described as more of a challenge than a race, has three categories. The Tame, Wild and Savage Beast are courses that start from a fun-filled 5km to a physically and mentally challenging 15km. Marx was the only woman competitor to finish the 30 obstacles and win the Savage Beast course and Van Tonder has won all five Beast challenges since the series started last year.
After climbing a 50-metre long sequence of ropes, crossing freezing pools, nets, rings, chains and monkey bars, Van Tonder got through the obstacle on his first attempt in 1:23:39.
Michael Joubert finished second in 1:26:51, followed by Marius Smith in third with a time of 1:29:02 and Bradley Claase finished fourth in 1:31:06.
Marx finished the course in 3:19:20. Her name was chanted by the audience after completing two-thirds of the final obstacle.
“After getting through two-thirds, the true test came. I was fighting my mind and my tired muscles. I started shaking uncontrollably, but with the help of a few friends and a crowd chanting my name, I had no other option but to finish this race. So I did just that and conquered The Beast,” she said.
Marx also said that compared to the first Beast challenge course, the fifth installment was a very tough course.
“Jason Friedman [the course designer] combined a whole lot of tough obstacles, from rope swings to tyres, to a long net climb, body weaver and finally handle swings,” Marx said.
The Beast challenge results:
Men Savage Beast:
1. Thomas van Tonder – 1:23:39
2. Michael Joubert – 1:26:51
3. Marius Smith – 1:29:02
4. Bradley Claase – 1:31:06
5. Willem Erasmus – 1:43:05
Women Savage Beast:
1. Carina Marx – 3:19:20
Details: The Beast on info@beastchallenge.co.za or Hot Salsa Media on 033 344 3971.
