170 miles in 24 hours non-stop.
The Munga introduced the highly compelling South African Munga format to the United States last year, which started with our first of the two 24-hour annual races in Traverse City Michigan, and later this past year in Fredericksburg Texas! WE ARE BACK!!!
Traverse City, MICHIGAN 14-15 September 2024
RACE COMPLETE
Also watch out for Fredericksburg Texas – March 2025
COUNTDOWN TO THE MUNGA USA | MICHIGAN 2024
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THE ULTIMATE IN ULTRA ENDURANCE RACING
what is the munga grit 24hr?
THE CRAZIEST, LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCE YOU CAN HAVE ON A BIKE
Over the course of the Munga’s history, two things have become apparent.
One, plenty of riders are motivated and intrigued by our unique race format and want to give it a ‘try’, but the distance is mentally challenging compared to most other South African mountain bike races.
Two. Following the success of our South African races, and given that almost 50% of our fans are US based, we have launched the smaller format race in the US with the goal of slowly building up to the 50 hour and eventually the full Munga
The basics
The Munga Grit 24hr races will vary from race to race but you can expect between 140 and 170 miles. But riders will only have 24 hours to complete the course.
One of the most authentic and life-changing aspects of the full Munga, are our water-points. So this core component of The Munga experience will be carried over to The Munga Grit 24hr. Thus riders can expect three water points manned by friendly locals! The wps will be roughly 25 to 55 miles apart. Note, unlike the 50-hour Grit and full Munga, there will be no Race Villages, but WP3 will be augmented with some tents and mattresses in case riders need a power nap.
LIGHT, FREE, FAST
WHAT IF YOU COULD ROCK UP ON A SATURDAY MORNING, PARK YOUR CAR, JUMP ON YOUR BIKE AND HEAD OUT ALONG REMOTE TRAILS AND TRACKS AS FAR AS THE SUN SETS. WITH NOTHING ON YOUR BACK EXCEPT YOUR SHIRT.
LIGHT, FREE, FAST MEANS YOU CAN GO SUPER LIGHT, FEEL EXCEPTIONALLY FREE, AND RIDE AS FAST AS YOU WANT… ALL IN THE PREDICTABLE RACE FEEL OF THE TRIED AND TESTED MUNGA FORMAT!
THE MUNGA GRIT USA
THE MUNGA GRIT TRAVERSE CITY ROUTE
The Munga Grit Traverse City will begin and end at Black Star Farms outside the town of Traverse City, Michigan. Incredibly, we have secured permission to follow the iconic Leelanau, Sleeping Bear and Betsie Valley trails, so the route will head out in a counter-clockwise direction following the Leelanau Trail out north towards Sutton’s Bay. Then it will pick up the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, before heading south to the small town of Frankfort where it will pick up the Betsie Valley trail. From Thompsonville, the route will follow dirt roads south into the Manistee river valley before heading up north towards Lake Anne and eventually back to Black Star Farms. The route will be a GPS route only, so no navigation required. The route will be around 170 miles.
*Note: the image is to give you a general idea as to where the route goes. Don’t take it literally, it is likely to change a bit here or there.
THE MUNGA GRIT FREDERICKSBURG ROUTE
The MUNGA GRIT Fredericksburg will begin and end on the edge of the lively town of Fredericksburg, Texas. The route will head in a north-westerly direction towards the hill country around the small town of Doss, before swinging west in an anti clock-wise direction and then south and back towards Fredericksburg. The route will be predominantly on quiet paved roads, dirt roads and farm dual tracks and will be a GPS route only, so no navigation required. The route will be around 150 miles.
*Note: the image is to give you a general idea of where the route goes. Dont take it literally, it is likely to change a bit here or there.
WAKE UP LATE. ROLL ON DOWN.
The Grit 24hr format has been designed to be convenient, so in keeping with Munga tradition, the race will start at 12pm on Saturday afternoon. This means you can wake up on Saturday morning, have breakfast, pack your bike and race kit, and roll over for a 12pm start with your car parked safely waiting for you. Then you can head out on a 24 hour adventure through the day and night, over 150 miles of spectacular but quiet scenery, then roll back over the line before 12pm on Sunday!
AN ENTRY COSTS $180
WHAT DO I GET FOR MY ENTRY?
Great question!
– 3 x fully stocked Munga Grit 24hr water-points manned by friendly locals where you can expect ground coffee, lots of wholesome food, race nutrition, and just plain love. Ask anyone who has done the Munga what our water-points are like!
– Access to the Leelanau Trail, Sleeping Bear Heritage trail, Betsie River valley trail and miles of quiet dirt roads.
– A famous hand-made Munga Grit 24hr finishers medal
– Legend status forever
– The chance to earn your first stripe and start your Munga journey!
– A Munga Grit 24hr goody bag
EARN YOUR STRIPES
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Everytime you complete a Munga Grit 24hr in the time period, you receive a commission. Starting with a Lance Corporal, or one stripe, when you complete your second Munga Grit 24hr 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 Munga Grit 24hr recruit who crosses the finish line in the allocated time will receive his or her corresponding stripe to wear with pride. The Munga Grit 24hr 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.
We want you, to join the army in the fight against mediocrity!
BELOW ARE THE TEN LEVELS OF RANK IN THE MUNGA GRIT 24HR ARMY.
THE RULES
WE RIDE TO FIND A PART OF OURSELVES YET UNDISCOVERED.
Oh yes. There are rules. “The Grit US races are seriously tough races.”. They will not be a walk 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 Grit USA journey.
Rider faq
Things Riders usually ask.
WHEN IS THE RACE
These races will take place
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN: 14 – 15 SEPTEMBER 2024
FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS: March 2025
WHEN IS THE RACE
These races will take place
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN: 9-10 SEPTEMBER 2023
FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS: 6-7 APRIL 2024
HOW MUCH DOES THE RACE COST TO ENTER?
Please see the entry portal for current fees for the various Munga events.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT RACE CATEGORIES?
IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF RIDERS THAT CAN ENTER?
IS THERE A QUALIFICATION RACE?
There is no qualification process and the Munga Grit USA is open to anyone who can ride a bicycle.
CAN I RIDE A TANDEM MOUNTAIN BIKE WITH A TEAMMATE?
Yes
CAN I RIDE A CYCLOCROSS BIKE
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?
CAN I RACE THE MUNGA GRIT USA IN A TEAM?
The Munga Grit USA is an individual race and does not have a team entry. All rider entries are solo.
DO I NEED A SPONSOR?
WHAT IS THE MUNGA GRIT 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?
WILL THERE BE TV COVERAGE OF THE RACE?
WILL THE ROUTE BE MARKED?
WHAT IS THE ASCENT OF THE RACE?
The ascent is roughly 5500 ft (1600 m)
HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M ABLE TO FINISH THE MUNGA GRIT?
You should be able to ride a mountain bike at 7 to 9 m/hr for 18 hours, but this is just a rough guideline.
CAN I LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE RIDING?
CAN I USE TRI-BARS?
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT IS PROVIDED?
3 x water-points fully supported and staffed with food and drinks, and wp3 will have some tents and mattresses for those needing a power nap.
DOES THE MUNGA GRIT USA HAPPEN EVERY YEAR?
Yes, Munga Grit USA will happen every year along with other identical future format Grit races around country. (And current South African Events)
WHEN WILL PRIZE-GIVING TAKE PLACE?
CAN I VOLUNTEER FOR THE MUNGA?
We’re always on the look out for people who can help. Please forward a copy of your CV to info@themunga.com
CAN I INTERVIEW THE RACE DIRECTOR?
You can ask him yourself. Send him an email to alex@themunga.com
CAN I PHOTOGRAPH OR FILM THE RACE?
Please send a mail to info@themunga.com
GALLERY
Traverse City, Michigan 2023
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