PIETERMARITZBURG, KZN, 14 MARCH 2017 – This past weekend (11 – 12 March), saw Emerald Resort and Casino in Vanderbijlpark play host to Race #2 of the Toyota Warrior Race, powered by Reebok.
The return of the Warrior Race to the heart of the Vaal Triangle attracted over 4000 obstacle course racers looking to tackle the infamous Warrior Race known for its well-built obstacles and multiple race formats.
The Jeep Team athletes performed at optimum throughout the weekend, starting with the Ladies Reebok Sprint and the Team Reebok Sprint – a new, short, high-intensive course spanning 400m with 10 obstacles, a great warm up for the elite Jeep team athletes.
Jeep Team athlete and Top 3 2016 SA OCR Champion, Carina Marx, finished 2nd in Ladies Reebok Sprint on Saturday, and in the Mixed Team, she raced with Jeep Team SA mates, Thomas van Tonder and Joshua Masudi, finishing 2nd overall.
Says Marx, “The Reebok Sprint racing was a first for me. It was a great warm up but also lots of fun. Just had to make sure I didn’t pick up an injury prior to the Black Ops Elite race. Racing with my teammates was good fun, and we picked up 2nd place against some tough competition.”
On Sunday saw the tough, world-OCR-benchmark race, Black Ops Elite, featuring some 30 obstacles over 17km, designed to challenge South Africa’s top OCR athletes in thirty different ways from endurance, strength and agility, to upper body strength, and carrying and dragging heavy objects for set distances.
Jeep Team OCR athlete and 2016 SA OCR Men’s Champion, Thomas van Tonder, finished 2nd in the Black Ops Elite race in 01:30:08, behind eventual winner, Claude Eksteen in 01:29:02, with Louis Smit rounding off the podium in 01:30:43.
Says Van Tonder: “I’m super proud of our SA Jeep Team after some solid racing. I’m happy to have finished second in the Black Ops Elite after a rookie mistake. I was so focused on chasing “the Flash” Claude Eksteen, that I got to the end of Breaking Point and never rang the bell. I had to go back and do it again. I won’t make that mistake again.”
Jeep Team’s Carina Marx finished 5th overall in the Women’s Black Ops Elite race in 03:05:19. Hanneke Dannhauser took the top spot in a time of 01:54:59, with a Sabrina Daolio in second in a time of 01:59:58 and third was Dominique D’Oliveira in 02:13:24, with Trish Bahlmann in fourth in 2:18:20.
Says Marx, “I completed the race in a very frustrating 5th place after getting stuck at a silly obstacle that I have never had a problem with before. This, unfortunately, cost me a lot of time and I ended up racing just to get points on the board. It was a very hard pill to swallow, but I believe that I will only get stronger through this experience. There is always room for improvement and that’s exactly what I will do. I’m now even more determined for the next race at Van Gaalens Cheese Farm in April. “
Results – Black Ops Elite
Men
- Claude Eksteen 01:29:02
- Thomas van Tonder 01:30:08
- Louis Smit 01:30:43
- Hlelani Radebe 01:34:00
- Trevor Lagerwey 01:35:12
Women
- Hanneke Dannhauser 01:54:59
- Sabrina Daolio 01:59:58
- Dominique D’Oliveira 02:13:24
- Trish Bahlmann 02:18:20
- Carina Marx 03:05:19
Other Jeep News
International Jeep Team Achievements
Triathlon
Jeep Team’s rising triathlon superstar racing in the USA, Mikaela Jonsson, participated in the City Bikes Las Olas International Sprint Triathlon on 12 March 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Florida, USA.
The Las Olas Triathlon is a destination event for the new and experienced triathletes.
The sprint course includes a 500m swim, an 18.5km cycle and a 5km run.
Jonsson finished 3rd female overall in a time of 01:08:31 – a huge testament to Jonsson’s talent and capabilities.
Results – Female Overall
- Meagan Bradley 01:07:17.46
- Stephanie Solinski 01:08:15.84
- Mikaela Jonsson 01:08:31.81
FNB Surfski Series FINALE
Friday, 10 March 2017, saw the 2017 FNB Surfski Series come to an exciting end with the Varsity College Surfski Challenge and the Varsity College SA Schools Championships taking place at the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club at Addington Beach.
Multiple SA Surfski Champion and Jeep Team paddler, Hank McGregor, claimed an impressive seventh win of the 2017 series. McGregor narrowly beat Kenny Rice to the post, while Matt Bouman rounded out the podium in third.
In the women’s race, Hayley Nixon claimed the top spot and wrapped up the overall women’s title. Nixon powered her way across the finish to win by just over a minute ahead of Bridgitte Hartley in second, and with Kyeta Purchase in third.
Results
Men – Long Course
- Hank McGregor 31m24s
- Kenny Rice 31m42s
- Matt Bouman 31m45s
Women – Long Course
- Hayley Nixon 36m39s
- Bridgitte Hartley 37m30s
- Kyeta Purchase 39m08s