GRABOUW – Local athlete Ryno Owen claimed his second consecutive victory at XTERRA South Africa, crossing the finish line in 2:30:56 during the past weekend’s milestone celebration marking both the global series’ 30th anniversary and the South African event’s 20th year.
Austria’s Carina Wasle dominated the women’s race, finishing in 2:56:53 to claim the top spot in the Full Distance competition held at the UNESCO-listed Kogelberg Nature Reserve on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March.
The weekend drew record crowds to Grabouw Country Club, with participants spanning multiple generations as the event celebrated two decades of off-road triathlon in the Western Cape.
The gathering included legendary athletes who have competed since the early days alongside first-time participants exploring the challenging terrain around Eikenhof Dam.
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“The vibes were unmatched,” said Owen, highlighting the community atmosphere that has defined the event’s success in the region.
Wasle, drawing on over 20 years’ of racing experience, emphasised the event’s unique appeal: “I love the adventure and the challenge and I love the feeling of running through the finish line after a great race.”
The weekend also launched the 2026 XTERRA Youth Tour and expanded trail running options, with participants choosing between a 21 km, 12 km and 6 km routes. Mozambique’s Andrea Schöfmann praised the scenic backdrop, stating: “I can’t get enough of this landscape.”
Local organiser Conrad Stoltz and the XTERRA South Africa team focused on community participation, with junior athlete Antony Clayton, who claimed back-to-back victories in the Junior Sprint Triathlon, crediting the atmosphere: “It’s really the people making it really fun.”
The Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Africa’s first UNESCO-designated biosphere and part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, provided the dramatic setting for competition across all age groups and distances.
As XTERRA enters its fourth decade globally, the South African event’s continued growth demonstrates the enduring appeal of off-road multisport racing.
The momentum from this anniversary celebration is expected to carry forward as the 2026 XTERRA World Tour continues to additional international destinations.
Complete results are available on the official XTERRA South Africa event page.
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