COUNTDOWN TO THE 2025 SWORDS SERIES WATERBERG
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NO GUTS | NO GLORY
what is the munga swords series?
24hrs, 10 loops, 10 Stripes, Zero to General!
Each loop is worth one stripe! You see, the thing is, people love our stripes but with only one Munga a year and two Grit races, it’s taking a long time to become a high-ranking officer! So we want to make the allure of stripes available to all.
Done three loops and you want to be an officer? Then set off for a fourth loop. It’s totally up to you. Each loop, only the toughest of the tough, bravest of the brave, most desperate, valiant, eager beaver, riding warrior machine will do ten loops and walk away with the coveted General’s stripe!
The basics
Guess what, you don’t have to ride ten loops if you dont want to. Only want to do 2 loops, no problem. It’s totally up to you. Below are the race options with this unusual 24hr format:
Race Categories:
- Youth – R200 (1 loop max and younger than 18)
- Weekend Warriors – R450 (2 loops max)
- Mini Munga Mob – R900 (5 loops max)
- Munga Maniacs – R1800 (more than 5 loops)
- e-bike – Any of the solo categories.
The Swords Series is a family-oriented, fun-filled festival of endurance! Riders can access their family and friends as they come in. But be warned…this level of comfort comes with a heavy price. Resolve will melt, determination will fall by the side, and motivations will be questioned as you embrace your loved one and think long and hard if you can set off for one more loop.
The loop will vary from race to race, but will typically follow remote dirt roads and tracks around the spectacular country so the riding will be non-technical, with some loops having more ascent, some more sand and corrugations etc. The weekend is focused on the family, so they can play a big role in rider support as they come in, and there is also a kids race to start them off on their own stripe journey!
WATERBERG
THE MUNGA SWORDS SERIES ROUTE
We are excited to announce that we have shifted the old Modimolle route farther west, away from the sand to, a quieter, more intimate location. The Munga Swords 24hr Series Waterberg race is situated in the heart of the Waterberg mountains, just 30mins from Bela Bela (Warmbaths).
It is a quiet loop that offers a remote, peaceful but fun riding experience where riders can enjoy the solitude and prepare for some of our harder events. There is significantly less sand than last years loop, with a few bumpy sections, but overall we are confident the top riders will still have a tough 24hr event where 10 laps is definitely on the cards!
For the weekend warrior, one or two loops will offer a fantastic riding experience.
We have also selected Thaba Ditholo, a smaller, quieter lodge as the start/finish venue, offering riders the chance to camp and have a true bush veld experience!
There are Lodges on the route should you want to book your Family in for a Luxury Weekend!
Don’t delay, if you want to test yourself or just get away for the weekend for some super quiet gravel roads, enter now….
With the race start at 12pm Saturday, and the cutoff 12pm Sunday, riders can do as many loops as they want within the 24 hours (within the category they have entered)
A FUN, FAMILY, ENDURANCE FESTIVAL!
We understand the pull of endurance events away from family, and the complexity this creates. So the Swords Series has been designed to provide an opportunity for the whole family to take part in the endurance festival! The various resorts and finish line venues themselves will play host to the transition area for each loop, and unlike all our other events, when a rider returns, he has full access to friends, family. Now the family can play a key part in their riders support and encouragement!
And for those kids who want to start their Munga journey and earn their first stripe, there will be a MUK (Munga Kids race) late Saturday afternoon. For ages 3 till 9, this event will include a short bike ride & run!
VARIOUS ENTRY COSTS FROM R200
WHAT DO I GET FOR MY ENTRY?
Great question!
- A Start/Finish Line transition area with Nutiron Juices, Coke, Super M and Coffee.
- Full medical support
- A tailored finishers medal
- The chance to earn your first (or tenth!) stripe!
EARN YOUR STRIPES
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Every time you complete a loop, you receive a commission, or one stripe. Starting with a Lance Corporal, when you complete your second loop you get promoted to full Corporal, or two stripes. The next one is a Sergeant, or three stripes, and so on, and so on. Each loop is worth one stripe and there is no limit to how many loops you can do other than the time limit of 24 hours or the category you have entered.
But be warned, the road to officer is not easy, and only the bravest of campaigners will walk away with the coveted General’s stripe!
Each Munga Swords Series recruit who crosses the finish line in the allocated time will receive his or her corresponding stripe to wear with pride however many loops you completed. The Munga Swords Series stripes are a right of passage to be worn proudly by those who have earned them and been promoted. But they are also an incentive to stay in the fight against the ordinary.
Each race in the Swords Series starts you off at zero. So while you may have reached a Loot and have five stripes in one of the races, and be entitled to wear the five stripe shirt, when you start your next race, you start from zero. The first rider to complete ten loops in a race and thus receives the coveted General’s stripe, has a 1% time handicap over the rest of the field for their next race. This means starting 14 mins and 40 seconds after everyone else so the rest of the chasers are still in the game! Points are awarded for your stripes and time in each event, with the top three officers in both male and female taking home the Swords Series trophy as well as all the prize money!
We want you, to join the army in the fight against mediocrity!
BELOW ARE THE TEN LEVELS OF RANK IN THE MUNGA SWORDS SERIES ARMY.
THE RULES
WE RIDE TO FIND A PART OF OURSELVES YET UNDISCOVERED.
Oh yes. There are rules. The Munga Swords Series has some seriously tough races. They are not just a walk (or ride) in the park. We have to make sure that everyone on the route is safe, so every rider will be expected to follow these rules to the letter.
We don’t want to sound like stiffs, but any rider found breaking the rules, will be penalised or disqualified. So make sure you are familiar with the rules before setting out on your Munga Swords Series journey.
rider f.a.q.s
Things Riders usually ask.
WHEN IS THE RACE
The Sword Series races take place:
Pretoria East 15-16 March 2025
Waterberg 29-31 October 2025
WHEN IS THE RACE
The Sword Series races take place:
Pretoria East 15-16 March 2025
Waterberg 29-31 October 2025
WHEN IS THE RACE?
The Sword Series races take place:
Pretoria East 15-16 March 2025
Waterberg 29-31 October 2025
HOW MUCH DOES THE RACE COST TO ENTER?
Youth (Max 1 Loop) – R200
Weekend Warriors (Max 2 Loops) – R450
Mini Munga Mob (Max 5 Loops) – R900
Munga Maniac (More than 5 Loops) – 1800
ARE THERE DIFFERENT RACE CATEGORIES?
Race Categories:
- Youth
- Weekend Warriors
- Mini Munga Mob
- Munga Maniacs
- e-bike
IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF RIDERS THAT CAN ENTER?
Currently, the cut-off is 200 riders.
IS THERE A QUALIFICATION RACE?
There is no qualification process and the Munga Swords Series races are open to anyone who can ride a bicycle.
CAN I RIDE A TANDEM MOUNTAIN BIKE WITH A TEAMMATE?
Yes, Why not!!
CAN I RIDE A CYCLOCROSS BIKE
Yep
HOW TECHNICAL IS THE ROUTE?
It depends entirely on your skill level, but the majority of the route (more than 80%) is non-technical dirt roads.
WILL I BE ABLE TO SCOUT THE ROUTE?
Yes. For the most part the route will remain unchanged, however, it does cross private land so these sections will be impossible to scout.
CAN I RACE THE MUNGA SWORD SERIES AS A TEAM?
You welcome to ride with anyone, but we will have NO Team Categories
DO I NEED A SPONSOR?
There is no requirement for you to have a sponsor, but you are more than welcome to find your own one.
WHAT IS THE MUNGA SWORDS SERIES POLICY ON DOPING?
We are strictly against doping in any form.
WHEN DO THE RACE ENTRIES CLOSE?
Usually, entries close about a month or so before the start of the race.
WILL THERE BE TV COVERAGE OF THE RACE?
This is something we are still working on, but we are hoping to provide TV coverage in the near future.
WILL THERE BE TV COVERAGE OF THE RACE?
WILL THE ROUTE BE MARKED?
The route will be exclusively a GPS navigated route, but will not be difficult to follow. There are no markings along the route.
WHAT IS THE ASCENT OF THE RACE?
This will vary from race to race so please be sure to check the race-specific details.
CAN I LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE RIDING?
Yep.
CAN I USE TRI-BARS?
Yep.
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT IS PROVIDED?
Medical support is provided.
DOES THE MUNGA SWORDS SERIES HAPPEN EVERY YEAR?
Yes, Munga 24 Hour Sword Series will happen every year along with other similar formats Sword, Grit and Munga races around the country. There will be approximately 3 to 6 Sword Series events throughout the year.
WHEN WILL PRIZE-GIVING TAKE PLACE?
Because of the nature of the Munga Grit 24Hr events, prizes are awarded as riders cross the finish line.
CAN I WORK FOR THE MUNGA?
We’re always on the look out for people who can help. Please forward a copy of your CV to jackblack@themunga.com
CAN I INTERVIEW THE RACE DIRECTOR?
You can ask him yourself. Send him an email to jackblack@themunga.com
CAN I PHOTOGRAPH OR FILM THE RACE?
Please send a mail to jackblack@themunga.com
gallery – modimolle 2023
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