22 March 2018

Breaking Point Proves to be the Decider at Toyota Warrior #3

Submitted by: Viv Quann
Breaking Point Proves to be the Decider at Toyota Warrior #3

PRETORIA, GAUTENG – Despite the wet and muddy conditions, Race #3 of the 2018 Toyota WARRIOR Series, powered by Reebok, attracted thousands of enthusiastic athletes and their keen supporters to Tierpoort Adventure Farm just outside of Pretoria.   This hugely popular obstacle course racing (OCR) series is designed for adventure seekers from all walks of life, and, with no barrier to entry, makes obstacle course racing (OCR) accessible to anyone with a pair of trainers, t-shirt and shorts.  With three categories on offer, Rookie, Commando, and Black Ops, the Toyota WARRIOR races have something for everyone who wish to have fun and challenge themselves across world-class obstacles. The main event of the day was Black Ops Elite. This tough course incorporates 35 obstacles over roughly 15 kilometres of trail.  Course designer, Jono Hart, says, “The WARRIOR course at Tierpoort offers a good balance for the Elite athletes.

The hilly and technical terrain benefits trail runners, while the introduction of six new obstacles and the familiar, age-old obstacles favour those who prefer the physical challenges.”  In the men’s elite race, the “Truck and Trailer” tyre pull and the aptly named “Breaking Point” proved to be the deciding obstacles, with Race #1 winner, Thomas van Tonder (Jeep Team SA), powering through from 5th place and 7 minutes behind the leading pair of Race #2 winner, Claude Eksteen (Supa Mama), and Armin Botha, to take the win.

 Van Tonder finished in 01: 37:07, two minutes ahead of second-place finisher, Bradley Claase (Battle Rush) and Greg Avierninos (KeyHealth Team Nevarest) in third. Said van Tonder, “One of the biggest mental games I have ever had to play. I had my faith properly tested today. I was so happy to stand on the top step of the podium today. Having been in 5th place and 7 minutes off the lead halfway through the race, and then coming back to take the win was an unreal feeling.” In the women’s elite race, Race #1 winner and 2017 series winner, Trish Eksteen (Supa Mama), and Race #2 winner, Carla van Huyssteen (KeyHealth Team Nevarest) tussled for first place, with the lead changing hands throughout the race.

As with the men’s race, Breaking Point proved the title decider. Eksteen showed her racing prowess and grip strength, taking the win ahead of Hanneke Dannhauser (BeSnapped) in second and van Huyssteen in third. In addition to the honours and the R10 000 prize purse, van Tonder and Eksteen each got to drive home in a WARRIOR-branded Toyota RAV4 - theirs to drive until the next event in Cape Town on the 14th and 15th of April. In the Commando Elite race, a 10km trail with 22 obstacles, the men’s top three were, Anrich Zimmerman, who claimed his second consecutive win, in first, Kevin van Wyk in second, his third Warrior podium finish in 2018, and Darren Joyce in third. In the women’s race, Tarryn Butler took her first win of the 2018 series in 01:21:17, Natasha Deley finished 14 minutes behind Butler in second, and rounding off the podium was Tate Stewart.

 The Rookie Elite athletes ran a 5km, 15 obstacle race. In the men’s elite group, first place went to Cayde de Waal, in second place was Travis Dalrymple-Kelly, and finishing third was Simeon De Bruyn. In the elite women’s race, Megan van Tonder claimed her first win of the series, while Monique Els finished in second and Megan McLuckie claimed third. 

Results - Toyota Warrior #3Black Ops Elite

Men

  1. Thomas van Tonder - 01:37:07
  2. Bradley Claase - 01:39:16
  3. Greg Avierinos - 01:40:08 

Women

  1. Trish Eksteen - 01:50:56
  2. Hanneke Dannhauser - 02:02:05
  3. Carla van Huyssteen - 02:03:36 

Commando Elite

Men

  1. Anrich Zimmerman - 00:57:12
  2. Kelvin van Wyk - 00:57:22
  3. Darren Joyce - 00:58:24 

Women

  1. Tarryn Butler - 01:21:17
  2. Natasha Deley -01:35:14
  3. Tate Stewart - 01:40:30 

Rookie Elite

Men

  1. Cayde de Waal - 00:30:25
  2. Travis Dalrymple-Kelly - 00:30:40
  3. Simeon De Bruyn - 00:31:00 

Women

  1. Megan van Tonder - 00:34:33
  2. Monique Els - 00:36:14
  3. Megan McLuckie - 00:38:14 

For the full results of Toyota Warrior #3, visit www.jumpertrax.com.For more information or to enter, visit www.warrior.co.za.

 Written and distributed by Hot Salsa Media on behalf of Advendurance.Images and Enquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Editors Notes Toyota Warrior Race 2018 Dates: 

Warrior Namibia 24 March Midgard Country Estate, Windhoek, Namibia
Warrior 4 14 - 15 April Cape Town, Western Cape
Warrior 5 14 - 15 July Blythedale, KwaZulu-Natal
Warrior 6 11 August Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
Warrior 7 20 - 21 October Meerendal Wine Estate, Cape Town, Western Cape
Warrior 8 24 - 25 November Tierpoort Adventure Farm, Pretoria, Gauteng

Toyota WARRIOR, powered by Reebok, is back with mud and obstacles built to sustain and delight the thousands of athletes, large and small, tall and short, thin and large that are ready to challenge themselves having fun building better humans. The event calls adventure seekers from all walks of life - whether a weekend WARRIOR or an elite athlete hoping to snatch up the series title. With a Rookie, Commando, and Black Ops category on offer, WARRIOR has something for everyone.

For the first time in the popular series there will be an escape route for those who don’t find the idea of mud particularly appealing. Instead of diving into the infamous Mud Monster, participants will have the option of taking a penalty loop that will take them the same amount of time to complete. The ‘mudless’ option will not be made available to any Elite athletes, however. Adventure seekers looking for some extra high-speed excitement have the option of entering the popular Reebok Sprint Race.  A specifically designed children’s obstacle course will be available for little adventurers, as well as a WARRIOR Kids Zone under the supervision of child-minders. 

There are some exciting things in store at the 2018 TOYOTA WARRIOR SERIES, powered by Reebok:

You can choose your own batch start times again, so enter soon to choose the batch you prefer.

The theme for 2018 is Māori Warrior, so expect to see a lot of tattoos and funky designs

In 2018 the Mud Monster will not be compulsory, non-Elites can do a penalty loop and skip the mud Sprint Race:we have changed the Sprint Race format to make it more exciting and involve more age categories.

Two one-day action packed events added in Bloemfontein and Nelspruit Warrior is going International!

On 24 March 2018 we will be hosting a Toyota Warrior event in Windhoek, Namibia. Entries opening soon!

Published in Sports Range