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New MTB Challenge Puts Underberg on the Map

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on New MTB Challenge Puts Underberg on the Map

Running Man Adventures (RMA) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Sani Pass Time Trial (SPTT), a new mountain bike challenge set to take place on Saturday, 25 October 2025. Entries for this unique event opened Wednesday, 2 July 2025, visit www.sanipasstt.com to enter.

Nestled in the breath taking Southern Drakensberg, Underberg is a renowned natural backdrop for various adventure activities, hosting major events such as the Sani2C, the Drak Challenge Canoe Marathon, RMB Ultra-trail Drakensberg and Sani Stagger endurance races. The introduction of the SPTT further solidifies the region’s reputation as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

SPTT offers a truly distinctive experience: a 21km ascent of the iconic Sani Pass, often referred to as the “holy grail of all Southern African mountain passes” and the gateway to the “Roof of Africa.” The race will commence from Premier Resort Sani Pass at an altitude of 1450m, culminating at the finish line on the edge of Lesotho at 2876m, involving an impressive climb of nearly1500m.

“The South African MTB calendar is definitely crowded, but there’s nothing quite like a time trial up the Sani Pass, so we feel we’re offering something truly unique,” says Spurgeon Flemington, owner and race director of Running Man Adventures. “We also wanted to provide a race where the challenge is very real, but the time commitment isn’t excessive, allowing riders to enjoy a fantastic weekend on their bikes without needing extended leave or time away from family.”

This pure time trial format will see riders setting off at timed intervals with a strict no-drafting policy. The clock will stop as each rider or pair crosses the timing mat at the summit. The return journey down the Pass will be an untimed neutral zone, encouraging participants to safely take in the magnificent surroundings of the Maloti Drakensberg World Heritage Site, with its unparalleled vistas and thin air.

First-timers to Sani Pass can expect to be immersed in a special landscape, while experiencing the extreme challenge of the ascent. The route comprises 13km of tar to the South African Border Post, followed by 8km of lung-busting gravel to the summit.

The Sani Pass Time Trial will feature four race categories: MTB, E-Bike, Gravel Bike, and Single Speed, with options for riders to compete solo or as a team of two. The inaugural event on Saturday, 25 October 2025, will see the first riders depart at 07:00, with the last by 09:00. Start times will be allocated once entries close, with Single Speeds leading the charge, followed by Gravel Bikes, Mountain Bikes, and E-Bikes. All riders are expected to be back by 13:00.

Premier Resort Sani Pass will serve as the race base, hosting the start, finish, prize-giving at15:00, and a celebratory spit braai and after-party for all entrants. On-site accommodation at the hotel will be available for booking two weeks after race entries open.

“It’s always motivating to bring people from all over SA and beyond to share in the beauty of the Southern Drakensberg,” adds Flemington. “All our events are growing, and the future looks bright as we strive to continue offering transformative experiences for athletes from around the country.”

Glenrose Xaba Looks Set For Another Spar Grand Prix Triumph

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Glenrose Xaba Looks Set For Another Spar Grand Prix Triumph

Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) took another step towards defending her SPAR Women’s Grand Prix title on Sunday when she won the Durban SPAR Women’s  10km Challenge in 31:54 minutes. She heads the log with a total of 55 points.  Xaba was one of five runners to earn the maximum 10 bonus points by finishing within 33 minutes.

Xaba is three points ahead of her nearest rival, Selam Gebre (Nedbank). Gebre finished third in the race, behind her teammate and fellow Ethiopian Dinayah Abaraya, who was running her first SPAR race of the year.  Abaraya is currently fifth on the log, with 29 points.

Karabo Mailula (Tuks) and Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) are in joint third position on the log with 36 points.  Mailula finished third in Cape Town and eighth in Durban, with five bonus points in Durban, while Sosibo was fourth in Cape Town and seventh in Durban, also with five bonus points.

Former SPAR Grand Prix winner, Diana-Lebo Phalula (Boxer) heads the 40-49 category, with 20 points, having won in Cape Town and Durban with five bonus points. International runner Olga Firsova is in second position, with nine points.

The 50-59 category is headed by Capetonian Anne Stewart of Atlantic, who has 14 points, after winning in Cape Town and finishing second in Durban, with five bonus points. 

In the 60+ category, Judy Bird (Boxer) celebrated her birthday on Sunday with another win. She heads the log with 20 points, having earned bonus points in Cape Town and in Durban. Former seven-time Comrades Marathon gold medalist, Grace de Oliveira (Maxed Elite) is hot on her heels with 18 points, having also earned bonus points in both races.

Wiepke Schoeman (Boxer) is top of the log in the junior category, with 10 points, having earned bonus points in both Cape Town and in Durban. Anele Ndawonde is in second position, with five points.

Punisher Slap Fight: SA’s Viral Combat Sport Shakes the Scene

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Punisher Slap Fight: SA’s Viral Combat Sport Shakes the Scene
In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of combat sports, a new and controversial discipline has emerged at the forefront: Punisher Slap Fight. With viral clips dominating social media platforms and captivating global audiences, this intense spectacle is sparking widespread discussion—not only for its visceral appeal but also for the ethical and safety concerns it raises.
 
Distinct from traditional combat sports that emphasize agility, strategy, and defensive skill, Punisher Slap Fight is a contest rooted in raw endurance and physical resilience. The format is starkly simple: two competitors take turns delivering open-handed slaps while standing motionless—no dodging, no blocking, and no retreat. Victory is achieved when one participant is no longer able to continue.
 
Once considered a fringe novelty, Punisher Slap Fight has rapidly transitioned into the mainstream, buoyed by skyrocketing viewership figures and increasing celebrity endorsement. Yet, as its popularity grows, so too does the debate about its place in the world of professional sport and entertainment.
 
What is Punisher Slap Fight?
 
Punisher Slap Fight (PSF) is a competitive slap fighting organization based in Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa. Founded by Robert Krisch—known in the sport as “The Punisher”—the league has rapidly grown in popularity, earning recognition for its high-intensity matchups and strong community engagement.
 
PSF hosts professionally organized events featuring athletes from various weight divisions, including lightweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight categories. With a focus on both entertainment and sportsmanship, the league showcases title bouts, semifinals, and other marquee matchups that highlight the skill, endurance, and discipline of its competitors.
 
Recent Event: PSF #12:
The latest edition of Punisher Slap Fight, PSF #12, took place on May 31, 2025, at Grasslands Driving Range, located at 65 Glengory Road, Vlakfontein, Benoni. The event featured an action-packed lineup of 13 bouts, showcasing the sport’s rising stars and seasoned competitors across multiple weight divisions.
 
A standout moment of the evening was the lightweight title clash, where former champion Mike “The Viking” van Tonder lost his title to Chris “Dynamite” Steenkamp in a hard-fought battle that signaled a new era in the division.
 
In the heavyweight semifinal, Terrence “Supra” Labuschagne faced off against Shaun Scheepers in a gripping showdown. Labuschagne emerged victorious and has secured his place in the heavyweight final, scheduled for August 2025, where he will face Robert “The Punisher” Krisch for the heavyweight title. Meanwhile, Shaun Scheepers will go up against Francois “Whiplash” Nel in a clash for second place in the heavyweight division.
 
Tickets for PSF #12 were available at the venue, with a strong crowd in attendance—further evidence of Punisher Slap Fight’s growing momentum in the combat sports scene.

PUMA Launches Exclusive Collection For Hyrox World Championships

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on PUMA Launches Exclusive Collection For Hyrox World Championships

With the HYROX World Championships Chicago 2025 just days away, global sports company PUMA has unveiled its hotly-anticipated second collection of PUMA x HYROX co-branded apparel and footwear.

Built with HYROX athletes in mind, the collection features new footwear silhouettes and apparel designs, helping you train harder, race smarter, push past limits and go wild; whether you’re gearing up for your first HYROX event or chasing a new personal best.

Making its race debut at the HYROX World Championships Chicago, the collection will be worn by Elite 15 athletes including Men’s Pro World Record holder Hunter McIntyre, Women’s Open World Record holder Lucy Procter, and UK athlete Jake Dearden.

“The HYROX World Championships is the pinnacle of the HYROX calendar, and this year has added meaning, being in my home country. Turning up on race day feeling and looking my best is paramount to my performance, and I can’t wait to do that in the new PUMA x HYROX collection,” said Hunter McIntyre.

Featuring PUMA’s innovative CLOUDSPUN and LUXFIT technologies, the apparel range is designed to keep HYROX athletes of all levels comfortable and dry throughout their training block and race day. The CLOUDSPUN premium-brushed material provides racers with the softest training gear on the market, as the THERMOADAPT moisture-wicking technology cools you down when you are hot and deactivates once cooling is complete, optimising comfort and performance.

For the first time ever, selected items in women’s range will use SHAPELUXE fabric, made with LUXFIT and LYCRA® ADAPTIV technology to create a customised second skin fit that moves with you.

Key items in the women’s collection include the essential tight, the 3” tight short and a high-neck bra. The new men’s range features a tee, 2-in-1 train short and a hoodie.

There are also exciting updates for PUMA’s iconic footwear, with Deviate NITRO™ 3 and Deviate NITRO™ Elite 3 receiving a vibrant colour refresh guaranteed to standout on race day.

Deviate NITRO™ Elite 3 – the shoe of choice for PUMA’s elite HYROX athletes – is optimised to be lightweight and built for speed. The ultimate race day runner features PUMA’s innovative NITROFOAM™ ELITE for best-in-class responsiveness and energy return, while strategically placed PUMAGRIP ensures unrivalled traction through exercises, with a specially engineered PWRPLATE makes racing feel effortless.

Infused with PUMA’s unique NITROFOAM™ and a less aggressive PWRPLATE than its Elite counterpart, Deviate NITRO™ 3 is your reliable and responsive racer that features more of PUMA’s industry-leading PUMAGRIP, ensuring you stay on your feet from start to finish.

Erin Longin, Vice President Run/Train at PUMA, said: “The ultimate fitness race requires the ultimate apparel and footwear, and our latest PUMA x HYROX collection delivers. Every piece has been meticulously designed and curated for HYROX athletes, ensuring they excel in every rep, at every station, right to the finish line.”

“PUMA has been a key partner in HYROX’s growth,” said Moritz Fürste, co-founder of HYROX. “Our shared ambition is to shape the future of fitness racing – making it more accessible, exciting, and performance-driven for athletes at every level. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries in training gear innovation, ensuring that both elite competitors and everyday participants benefit from the same high standards in apparel and footwear.”

The Deviate NITRO™ 3 and Deviate NITRO™ Elite 3 from the new collection will drop exclusively at the HYROX World Championships Chicago from 11 June. The full collection will launch globally on 19 June, available to purchase at HYROX events, on HYROX World, on PUMA.com, in PUMA flagship stores and in selected retailers.

For more information visit www.puma.com and follow @PUMATraining, or visit www.hyrox.com and follow @hyroxworld

Bedfordview Athletics Cancels Boroughs of Bedfordview Race

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Bedfordview, Gauteng – Bedfordview Athletics regrets to announce the cancellation of the Boroughs of Bedfordview race, scheduled for 21 September 2025.

This community event was launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to reunite and re-energize runners through a traditional road race format. It was a celebration of resilience and community spirit during a time when the running world had been turned upside down.

With the road running calendar now fully restored and participation levels returning to pre-Covid norms, Bedfordview Athletics has made the strategic decision to streamline its efforts and resources. The club will now focus its energy on delivering an exceptional experience through its flagship event—the Biogen 21km Run, held annually in January.

“We’re incredibly proud of what the Boroughs of Bedfordview race represented and the role it played in helping bring our running community back together,” said Grant Panter, club chairman of Bedfordview Athletics. “Our priority is to ensure we continue to grow and improve the Biogen 21km, which remains a highlight on the national running calendar.”

Bedfordview Athletics extends its sincere thanks to all the athletes, volunteers, sponsors, and community members who supported the Boroughs of Bedfordview over the past few years. The club looks forward to welcoming runners from across the country to the Biogen 21km in January 2026.

For further information on the Biogen 21km, please visit
https://www.biogen21.co.za

 

Rolling with the Roving Cow: Grit, goggles, and a guide dog named Ginty

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Rolling with the Roving Cow: Grit, goggles, and a guide dog named Ginty

Kathleeen Amelia Flanagan was born with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The condition slowly narrows the field of vision: in layman’s terms, it’s like having permanent tunnel vision. Despite this she’s never been one to shy away from a challenge — including when, as she got older, her vision deteriorated further. Now she’s storming the triathlon circuit, even earning a national title. Our Roving Cow Richard Laskey gets the full story.