ARWC 2023 fever has hit the Dune Daisies and we can’t get enough of this sport. Imagine doing multiple marathon-length trail runs, cycling (often in the dark) on gravel roads through mountain passes or bush for almost 500km, a quick 60km kayak and then, just to keep things exciting, a quick abseil of about 50m in no more than 9 days.
Competitors must provide their own food and water while on the move and may not have any contact or help from anyone. Finding drinkable water is a priority for teams as staying hydrated is vital for success. This can be quite a challenge in unfamiliar surroundings or water-deprived areas. Before the race, each team packs boxes of only 25kg – holding provisions and appropriate gear for the various legs of the race. They can access these boxes at transition points which is also where they pick up or drop off their bicycles. If something breaks, they have to work together to fix it.
As if this wasn’t enough of a challenge, teams only get the maps for the next leg of their journey once the previous one has been completed. They get a topographical map and a compass and must figure out the route as they go. There are checkpoints along the way to keep them on track and failure to stop at a checkpoint can cause a team to be disqualified. The use of technology is prohibited. The only communication allowed besides with their teammates is to talk to a shopkeeper to purchase food or water.
The teams who want to come in the top ten generally sleep on the side of the road for an hour or two when they cannot carry on any further. There is a lot of talk about ‘sleep monsters’ who visit when lack of sleep delirium kicks in. Competitors are challenged at every angle possible – physically, mentally and emotionally. All daily comforts are stripped away, and they have to reach their goal together, only as strong as the weakest team member.
As this is the world championship, teams have flown in from all over the world (about 40 countries). The top-ranked team is the Swedish Armed Forces, but the Estonian team is said to be close on their heels. French, South African, Spanish, American, Brazilian and Kiwi teams are all in the top ten.
Among all these top contenders is one of our own. A lad whose family lives in St Francis, Juan Oosthuizen from the Truffle Hunters (#15). He is a bio-kineticist and Pilates instructor who has two practices in Pretoria. Since his parents moved to St Francis in 2021, he has spent a lot of time on our trails on both bike and foot. We were lucky enough to catch up with him before he embarked on the race, and he gave us some wonderful insight.
DD: What do you think will be the biggest challenge for you in this race?
JO: Sleep deprivation will definitely be the hardest part about race, it will be the longest I have gone without a full night’s sleep. Your boundaries are really pushed without a full night’s sleep, and it is hard to maintain mental stability. I have done adventure races before of a few hundred kms and long bike races, but nothing this far before. This race is 800kms and it will be a real challenge for me. Having to deal with your eyes closing while you are cycling or when you start to hallucinate or fall asleep in the dark is scary. I am also one of the team navigators while we are cycling, so I need to keep us on track and going to the right destination, all the while staying motivated and positive. My role in the team is also as packhorse when the others are taking strain, I need to help by lightening their load and possibly carrying their packs or towing them.
DD: Do you think your knowledge of the area will give you an advantage?
JO: It will definitely help, even though I am not familiar with all the areas. Just knowing where the mountain is and where the climbs will be will help with pacing and ensuring that we are on the right track. Hopefully, this will also help keep everyone calm and peaceful. Problems start when you get agitated thinking you might be lost. One of our other team members, Andrea is from the Port Elizabeth vicinity, and I am sure that if we start in the area of the dunes up the coast as I suspect we will, her knowledge will help us.
DD: What will your last meal before the race be?
JO: My last meal will probably be a good lasagne – something warm and starchy with some protein. Most likely it will be the last warm thing we eat until after the race. On the course, we eat race bars, nuts, dried fruit, meal replacements and energy gels. We will try and eat as much wholesome food as possible, but it’s not easy when you can only pack 4.7kg of food and clothing per box. Most of the food needs to be dry as it will stand in the sun. It could also rain and dry food does better. We each have 7 packs of food for the transitions, so that should keep us going. So, I’m looking forward to my beef lasagne tonight and possibly also some malva pudding or lemon meringue.
DD: What are you most excited about?
JO: For me, it’s just about being alive and free. Having the freedom to do things like this is special. Sometimes we get stuck in the world and its materialism; grafting just to reach a certain status or level of financial well-being. Adventure racing is about being free and living in the wilderness and getting a sense of simplicity. It’s also about appreciating the other competitors and your teammates. This is an opportunity to be present.
Being out there brings me back to earth, it’s where I feel most alive. That’s why I come back to these events because you feel alive when you’re in it and afterwards you feel that you can conquer the world.
It’s a special feeling that you can’t explain to someone unless you are truly there in the moment. There might also be moments that are not so nice, like when you are ice cold and all you have is the people around you. They are the ones that are going to keep you happy and alive. We will also have the thrill of knowing that we are seeing and experiencing things that no one else has. It will be exhilarating to be in untamed places like those in the Karoo. I cannot wait to express myself out there and live like a free man.
DD: How well do you know your team members?
JO: I am pretty close to my teammates and we know each other well. Franco and I have done a few races together, we also did some volunteer work on the Sky Race. He’s the co-captain and navigator. Damon is actually living in the UK although he was born in South Africa. I haven’t really met him yet other than on Zoom calls. He’s going to be our captain and navigator and I think we are going to get along well. He’s awesome to be around and always creates a good atmosphere. They are the founding members of the Truffle Hunters. Andrea is a PE local and is an excellent cyclist. She has done some Cape Epics and came fourth in the TransBaviaans. She will really be able to help us get to the top of our game when it comes to cycling. I believe she will help keep us calm psychologically – women tend to have the ability to do that. She also knows the area quite well.
I think we are a dynamic team and will be a strong dark horse in this race. We hope to finish in the top thirty, anything above that will be a bonus. Even though I think we are strong contenders, our priority is to finish together with warm hearts.
Excellent! Gooooooo Truffle Hunters!! So glad I bumbed into you lovely ladies this morning. What an adventure this has been for all of us!
Mandy, was so lovely to meet you this morning. We’ll join you at the finish line to welcome these amazing athletes back!
Juan is so humble. On a local training ride you would never say he is such an amazing athlete. He is polite and encouraging to those around him. And quite good with the camera on his phone!
So proud of you Juan! Cant wait for you to share your experience with our Elite group!
Juan is a true sportsman in every sense of the word. His dedication, passion, and respect for the game are truly admirable. Whether he’s winning or facing defeat, he always maintains his sportsmanship, displaying grace and integrity on and off the field. His commitment to fair play and his ability to inspire others make him a shining example for the sporting world. Juan’s sportsmanship is a testament to the positive values that sports can instill in individuals.