Merrell Transkei Tuff presented by Out the Green Box

It's Race Week at the Merrell Transkei Tuff

Press Release / 30.09.2021

It’s not just a tropical oasis, with a rich textured landscape boasting the turquoise water contrasts against the dark cliffs, and then against the emerald rolling hills. Its about the culture that makes Coffee Bay a true vibe.

Its RACE WEEK!

Check points are going up. Registration is being setup and Transition Areas are being prepped. The 5th edition of the Merrell Transkei Tuff has finally arrived. After 18 months of a delay, our race is finally going ahead…and in the most incredible place.

After indulging in the Southern Wild Coast for 4 years, we felt it was time to relocate the Merrell Transkei Tuff, to a new playground. The Coffee Bay region is spectacular. There are so many ways I could describe it, but wait – you will soon understand why, Tuffers.

Double check your compulsory gear and prepare for a wet and wild, muddy affair.

Teams are expected to arrive at Ocean View Hotel – Coffee Bay this Friday, a true coastal hotel that will play host to this year’s ‘relocation’. Race Village is going to be a festive environment where supporters and athletes can enjoy the activity, hosting the start and finish, as well as a host-transition area. Hole in the Wall Hotel, another coastal hotel will become a transition area too.

Due to the current lockdown restrictions, teams will be starting at 04h30 on Saturday morning, and will be required to cross the finish line by 23h00. That’s just over 18 hours to complete our reduced course of 100km (it was 140km). Its going to be a challenge, but wow – it s going to be fantastic!

Indulge in the culture, the community and support the locals. Working with local entrepreneurs has been a wonderful experience. We absolutely loved the relationships we developed with the community over our last race season at Wavecrest Beach Hotel and Spa, and hoped to create new friendships with lovers of the Transkei. Notshana and Mzo from Coffee Bay/ Mdumbi Kayaks are an awesome team. Wandisa boasts such radiance and has introduced me to a new love of Coffee Beads.  To quoteSouth African musician Jeremy Loops; “My people, Oh my people. Nothing compares to the soul of my people” – the people give this part of our country its heart-beat.

I’m excited to show all our teams the adventure we have created. The Merrell Transkei Tuff presented by Out the Green Box is a dream that has become reality, thanks to the amazing people and companies with a love for adventure racing, like ours.

This year we feature as the final qualifying race of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) - Africa series. Adventure Racing teams have competed in 4 other qualifying races in Southern Africa working towards the reward of winning an entry into the 2022 ARWS – World Champs.

Each qualifying race in the ARWS – Africa series has awarded the winning team with an entry into the 2021 ARWS – Africa Finale. This weekend another team will walk away with the 5th winning entry in the ARWS – Africa Finale race, set to take place at Alpine Heath Resort in the Drakensberg, this November.

Dot-watchers from all over the world can cheer on their favourite teams and watch in anticipation on how leading teams; DSV Cyanosis, Songlines, Pine Gold, Truffle Hunters, Addicted2Adventure.co.za race their way to the finish line. Follow the excitement live via www.aloeadventures.co.za/live

The Merrell Transkei Tuff presented by Out the Green Box is proudly brought to you by Ocean View Hotel – Coffee Bay, Black Diamond, Racefood, Squirt Cycling Products, Star Motors – King Williams Town, Priority Care Paramedics, Hole in the Wall Hotel, Morgan Bay Adventures and Coffee Bay – Mdumbi Kayaks to name a few.