The Munga returns on 25 November 2026: 1,130km of nonstop racing from Bloemfontein to the Wellington winelands, a 120-hour clock, and a field capped at 250 riders.
South Africa's ultimate single-stage race
Most South African stage races hand you a finish line every afternoon. The Munga hands you one finish line, 1,130km from the start, and a clock that never stops. Since its launch it has grown into the reference point for ultra-endurance mountain biking in this country — the race that Cape Epic finishers enter when they want to find the next ceiling.
The format is brutally simple: leave Bloemfontein in the November heat, cross the Karoo, and reach the Doolhof wine estate on the far side of the Cape fold mountains within 120 hours. How much you sleep, where you stop and how hard you push between race villages is entirely your problem. The organisers describe it as semi-supported — everything you need must be carried, or found at the five race villages and ten water points along the way. No friends or family may assist you on route.
Source: The Munga
The route: Bloem to the winelands in six sections
The race rolls out from the south-western side of Bloemfontein, near the Windmill Hotel, and tracks south-west across the Karoo before climbing into the Cape winelands to finish at Doolhof outside Wellington. The organisers divide the route into six sections between five race villages — but unlike a stage race, the sections are bookkeeping, not stages: the clock runs straight through. Navigation is by GPS track only, with no physical route markings, so a GPS device is mandatory kit.
Race start — Bloemfontein (near the Windmill Hotel)
Race start
Race villages and water points
Five race villages break the route into its six sections, each offering rest, food and mechanical assistance. Between them, ten water points sit 60–90km apart — which means you must be self-sufficient for stretches that can take several hours through the hottest part of the Karoo day. Medical officials patrol the route for all five days.
Bike and setup
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to qualify for The Munga? +
No. There is no qualification race — the event is open to anyone. The organisers suggest riders should be capable of sustaining 10–12km/h for around 18 hours as a fitness benchmark.
How does support work? +
The race is semi-supported. Five race villages offer rest, food and mechanical help, and ten water points sit 60–90km apart. No individual seconding is permitted anywhere on the route.
When do entries close? +
At the end of October 2026, one month before the start — or earlier if the 250-rider cap is reached. Entry is R26,900 early bird and R29,999 at standard pricing.
What bike should I ride? +
Mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes are both permitted; tandems are prohibited. Riders must use bike bags rather than backpacks for their kit.
