{"id":46272,"date":"2023-09-28T09:57:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T07:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/"},"modified":"2023-09-28T09:57:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T07:57:12","slug":"gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"

In celebration of the turn of the millennium in 1999, Graeme Fraser set out a unique endurance challenge that required interested participants to complete five gruelling competitions in one year, namely the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Midmar Mile, Cape Town Cycle Tour, Comrades and conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, all under the \u201cNashua Millennium Big 5 Challengers\u201d banner.<\/p>\n

At the end of 2000, Fraser and 34 other participants had successfully completed all five challenges.<\/p>\n

Now, 23 years later, Fraser and his wife, Veldra, plan to revive the challenge as the Millennium Big 5 Challenge 2025, ahead of its 25th anniversary.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the launch of the Millennium Big 5 Challenge 2025, at Andante Country Wedding and Events Venue in Gqeberha on September 14, Fraser said that the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Midmar Mile, Cape Town Cycle Tour, Comrades, and Mount Kilimanjaro have, in the interim, retained their places in the South African sports calendar as \u201cmajor\u201d events and still constitute a true test of ability in each sports discipline.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge truly tests the endurance of the participants and takes them out of their comfort zone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Fraser said that he had never been an elite athlete; instead the only sport he played were league cricket and hockey.\u201cThe first time we set out to do the challenge, people thought it was a joke, but now they know if ordinary Joes can do it, so can they,\u201d said Fraser.\u00a0He said that he and Veldra are excited about the prospect of introducing the adventures experienced by him and the original \u201cchallengers\u201d of 2000, to an entirely new generation of athletes in 2025.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are hoping that many more participants will complete the Millennium Big 5 Challenge 2025,\u201d said Fraser.<\/p>\n

To share more about his experience during the initial challenge in 2000, he launched his book, titled Summit Vision at the same event.<\/p>\n

To help the participants recoup their expenses for the challenge registration and each event, equipment, travel expenses, and any other expenses that might accumulate as part of the challenge, Fraser said that a Charity Trust is being created which will, in addition, use the money raised by the \u201cchallengers\u201d for the trust to support the Priory for South Africa of the Order of St John, and other charitable causes.<\/p>\n

Tony Deering, one of the successful challengers from 2000 who now resides in the United States, said that he was never a professional athlete but when he learned about the unique endurance challenge that Fraser had created and was co-ordinating, he accepted a friend\u2019s challenge to complete the entire challenge, and did.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Deering\u00a0said,\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n
The challenge is not about your finish time. It is about reaching the finish line. Participants must have the determination to finish, despite the many adversities they might face throughout the challenge. Most people go through life under-estimating their capabilities. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Deering hopes to join the \u201cchallengers\u201d during the final leg of the Millennium Big 5 Challenge 2025, when they climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2025.<\/p>\n

For more information about the Millennium Big 5 Challenge 2025, email Graeme Fraser and Veldra Fraser at legaleagles@srvalley.co.za.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In celebration of the turn of the millennium in 1999, Graeme Fraser set out a unique endurance challenge that required interested participants to complete five gruelling competitions in one year, namely the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Midmar Mile, Cape Town Cycle Tour, Comrades and conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, all under the \u201cNashua Millennium Big 5 Challengers\u201d banner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":46274,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"f1c7944d-51ce-49e1-9022-62bcf7c1a5c8","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Razaan Plaatjies","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-46272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nGruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes | Kouga Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In celebration of the turn of the millennium in 1999, Graeme Fraser set out a unique endurance challenge that required interested participants to complete five gruelling competitions in one year, namely the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Midmar Mile, Cape Town Cycle Tour, Comrades and conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, all under the \u201cNashua Millennium Big 5 Challengers\u201d banner.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kouga Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-09-28T07:57:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Razaan Plaatjies\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kouga Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa\"},\"headline\":\"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-28T07:57:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":506,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2023\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/\",\"name\":\"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes | Kouga Express\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-28T07:57:12+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":683,\"caption\":\"From left are, Graeme Fraser (director, creator, and, co-ordinator of Millennium Big 5 Challenge 2025), Tony Deering (successful participant of the 2000 challenge and launch sponsor), Nick Bester (Comrades winner), Terence Parkin (Midmar Mile winner, Olympic silver medallist, and 200m men\u2019s breaststroke winner at the 2000 Sydney Olympics), Andy Birkett (Dusi Canoe Marathon winner and 2022 World Marathon Champion), Natasha Panzera (Midmar Mile winner) and Chad Ho (Midmar Mile winner, Midmar Mile record holder, World Open Water Champion 10 miles). Photo: Razaan Plaatjies\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Kouga Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PEExpress1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\"],\"description\":\"Kouga Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kouga area since 2004. Established with the goal of keeping the Kouga and Koukamma communities informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 20,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door every week. Kouga Express\u2019 distribution area includes Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St. Francis Bay, Cape St. Francis, Aston Bay, Patensie, Hankey, Storms River, Tsitsikamma, Misgund, Joubertina, Krakeelrivier, Louterwater, Kareedouw, and Uniondale.\",\"email\":\"kougaexpress@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"042-992 5650\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa\",\"name\":\"Kouga Express\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Kouga Express\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/kougaexpress\\\/author\\\/kougaexpress\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes | Kouga Express","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes","og_description":"In celebration of the turn of the millennium in 1999, Graeme Fraser set out a unique endurance challenge that required interested participants to complete five gruelling competitions in one year, namely the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Midmar Mile, Cape Town Cycle Tour, Comrades and conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, all under the \u201cNashua Millennium Big 5 Challengers\u201d banner.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/","og_site_name":"Kouga Express","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","article_published_time":"2023-09-28T07:57:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":683,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Razaan Plaatjies","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kouga Express","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/"},"author":{"name":"Kouga Express","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa"},"headline":"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes","datePublished":"2023-09-28T07:57:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/"},"wordCount":506,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2023","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/","name":"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes | Kouga Express","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg","datePublished":"2023-09-28T07:57:12+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"caption":"From left are, Graeme Fraser (director, creator, and, co-ordinator of Millennium Big 5 Challenge 2025), Tony Deering (successful participant of the 2000 challenge and launch sponsor), Nick Bester (Comrades winner), Terence Parkin (Midmar Mile winner, Olympic silver medallist, and 200m men\u2019s breaststroke winner at the 2000 Sydney Olympics), Andy Birkett (Dusi Canoe Marathon winner and 2022 World Marathon Champion), Natasha Panzera (Midmar Mile winner) and Chad Ho (Midmar Mile winner, Midmar Mile record holder, World Open Water Champion 10 miles). Photo: Razaan Plaatjies"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gruelling-challenge-returns-25-years-later-to-test-athletes-20230928-3\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Gruelling challenge returns 25 years later to test athletes"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/","name":"Kouga Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#organization","name":"Kouga Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/kouga-express-site-icon-1.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Kouga Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/"],"description":"Kouga Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kouga area since 2004. Established with the goal of keeping the Kouga and Koukamma communities informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 20,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door every week. Kouga Express\u2019 distribution area includes Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St. Francis Bay, Cape St. Francis, Aston Bay, Patensie, Hankey, Storms River, Tsitsikamma, Misgund, Joubertina, Krakeelrivier, Louterwater, Kareedouw, and Uniondale.","email":"kougaexpress@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"042-992 5650","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/d1ca9a7485fc5ec64ff4daf5b9e211aa","name":"Kouga Express","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f47e9234fbd437508ffebc42bafee4a1f7b8b5fc5b5e58a3881ac4edc0688cdd?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Kouga Express"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/author\/kougaexpress\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ec2b842a82a44469344185ea9579735.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46887,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/glas-staff-triumph-in-comrades-marathon-20230621\/","url_meta":{"origin":46272,"position":0},"title":"GLA\u2019s staff triumph in Comrades Marathon","author":"Kouga Express","date":"22 June 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Global Leadership Academy employees proved their mettle conquering the challenging 87.7km Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, showcasing determination, teamwork, and personal triumph.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f85dc7b826c742db91ffa4f922fb4a83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f85dc7b826c742db91ffa4f922fb4a83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f85dc7b826c742db91ffa4f922fb4a83.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f85dc7b826c742db91ffa4f922fb4a83.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f85dc7b826c742db91ffa4f922fb4a83.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f85dc7b826c742db91ffa4f922fb4a83.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48987,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/lifeguard-swims-in-africas-toughest-5km-indian-ocean-race-20220504\/","url_meta":{"origin":46272,"position":1},"title":"Lifeguard swims in Africa\u2019s toughest 5km Indian Ocean race","author":"Kouga Express","date":"5 May 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Kouga Municipality lifeguard Craig Sampson, has completed many swimming challenges since he received his Lifesaving Surf Proficiency Award more than 20 years ago.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2ca45d7bb9764d34afa5a121484a2624.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":50706,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/kouga-runners-take-to-the-road-for-autism-20210609-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":46272,"position":2},"title":"Kouga runners take to the road for autism","author":"Kouga Express","date":"10 June 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Comrades Marathon athlete and Kouga Municipality employee, Eric Ruiters, is set to take to the road on Sunday, June 13, for the local leg of the virtual Comrades Marathon event \u2013 one of only two local athletes to tackle the gruelling 90km distance.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":46699,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/impatience-leads-to-lifelong-passion-for-sadrick-20230719\/","url_meta":{"origin":46272,"position":3},"title":"Impatience leads to lifelong passion for Sadrick","author":"Kouga Express","date":"20 July 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Physical strength, endurance, determination, and mental resilience are all key ingredients to cross the finish line after gruelling hours on the tar road \u2013 not to forget endless hours of preparation.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/394f99cd935443e28660dc8f7118e061.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/394f99cd935443e28660dc8f7118e061.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/394f99cd935443e28660dc8f7118e061.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":264834,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/mcgregor-and-nisbett-paddle-to-victory-in-berg-river-canoe-marathon\/","url_meta":{"origin":46272,"position":4},"title":"McGregor and Nisbett paddle to victory in Berg River Canoe Marathon","author":"Paarl Post","date":"6 July 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Hank McGregor won his 14th Berg River Canoe Marathon, with Jenna Nisbett claiming the women's title, showcasing impressive performances.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/HankWinSJHI-5999_85645.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/HankWinSJHI-5999_85645.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/HankWinSJHI-5999_85645.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/HankWinSJHI-5999_85645.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/HankWinSJHI-5999_85645.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57648,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/enter-now-for-5km-charity-challenge-20180801-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":46272,"position":5},"title":"Enter now for 5km charity challenge","author":"Kouga Express","date":"2 August 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"DON your office wear, put on your running shoes and enter the all-new Bestmed Chokka Trail Run 5km Charity Challenge.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Kouga Express","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46272\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46272"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=46272"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=46272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}