Keep the 2026 Momentum Rolling, Book a Slot at the 2027 Hell of the South

Entries to the 2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, which is set to take place on the 16th of January, opened on the 2nd of March. Photo by Oakpics. Mountain bikers can now sign up for what could well be the toughest day of cycling in 2027. Entries to the 21st edition are open, and benefit from an early-bird discount to the full Extreme distance, as well as the Half and Mini events, until the 31st of July this year. Dryland Rewards members can also earn points by entering through the Dryland Rewards mobile application. These points will then count towards discounts on future event entries. Further savings can be made by using the Entry Ninja referrals programme. Anyone who enters from the unique referral link that users can generate after entering a R250 voucher for the referrer to spend on a Dryland event entry at a later date.

Samantha Sanders (leading) was among the many riders to praise the amendments to the route for the 2026 edition. Photo by Oakpics. As in 2026, the 2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, will take a slightly easier approach to the Attakwaskloof. This should help riders reach the kloof, as well as the gravel roads on the Eastern side of the kloof, fresher. In 2026, this led to faster times and a record 97% finisher’s rate. Only 20 of the 745 starters failed to finish.

The rocky Attakwaskloof remains the cornerstone of the event, and a formidable challenge. Photo by Oakpics. “I loved the change to the opening kilometres,” 2024 and 2025 champion, Samantha Sanders, said. “It allowed for a faster start and more tactical racing towards the Queen of the Mountain hotspot at the summit of the Attakwaskloof.”

The Hell of the South may be tough, but the route is also exceptionally beautiful. Photo by Oakpics. “We had anticipated that the change would make the elite men about 15 minutes faster, and could help the slowest riders by as much as 45 minutes,” Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management stated. “That proved a good guess. Alan [Hatherly] was 30 minutes faster than he had been in 2025, but the weather conditions on the day were a big help too! Cool conditions certainly made everyone faster.”

The rolling roads over the final 54 kilometres of the course, from Bonniedale to Pine Creek, are corrugated, and the climbs are longer and steeper than they appear on the route profile. Photo by Oakpics. “I don’t think it made the race ‘easy’ though! It’s still a 120-kilometre mountain bike race, crossing very rough terrain, and taking in 2 600 metres of climbing. It’s just a bit more enjoyable. And hopefully allows riders to finish strong, emptying their tanks in the final 10-15 kilometres, rather than limping across the line completely broken.”

“I think we’ll see in a hotter year how much faster the course really is,” Rademeyer speculated. “As Dryland, we enjoy the cooler editions as much as the riders do, because they’re less stressful. But it being blazing hot is also part of the unique appeal of the race. For 2025, we added a 6th water point and changed the second elite rider feed zone to the intersection with the Robertson Pass Road. From Bonniedale to Pine Creek, there is now an aid station every 16 kilometres or less. This, along with the updated route, brings the race into reach for more riders.”

“Our goal is to make chasing a faster time or Ratel status the aim for more riders, rather than having the majority of the field simply prioritising finishing within the cut-off,” Rademeyer concluded.

Alongside the 120-kilometre Extreme, the event boasts two shorter distance races which start and finish at Pine Creek Resort in Great Brak River. The 47-kilometre Half is the ideal marathon distance for junior racers, and serves as a good introduction to XCM racing for school-aged mountain bikers who predominantly race in the cross-country format in Schools League events. The 32-kilometre Mini is suitable for older primary school competitors and acts as a feeder event for the Half. E-MTB riders are welcome to enter both the Half and Mini events, but open category and older riders should note that only junior competitors will be rewarded at the Half and Mini prize giving ceremonies.

Entries to the 2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, opened on Monday, 2 March 2026. Early bird entry fees will apply until 31 July this year, and participants who wish to receive an official finisher’s garment will need to confirm their entry before 16 November 2026. For more information or to enter online, visit www.atta.co.za. For insights into what it takes to conquer the Hell of the South, follow @attakwasmtb on Instagram or like the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, Facebook page

2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen

Race Date:

16 January 2027

Start:

Chandelier Game Lodge, outside Oudtshoorn

Finish:

Pine Creek Resort, Great Brak

Men’s Course Record:

4h25m10s (Alan Hatherly, 2026)

Women’s Course Record:

5h25m55s (Annika Langvad, 2017)

Key Points in the Route:

WP 1: 21km | WP 2: 40km | KOM/QOM: 55km | WP 3: 66km | WP 4: 78km | WP 5: 94km | WP 6: 108km | Finish: 120km

Distance Options:

Extreme: 120km | Half: 47km | Mini: 32km

Early Bird Entry Fee:

Extreme: R1 900 | Half: R450 | Mini: R250 (Until 31 July 2026)

Late Entry Fee:

Extreme: R2 450 | Half: R600 | Mini: R300 (Until 30 November 2026)

Last Minute Entry Fee:

Extreme: R2 850 | Half: R600 | Mini: R300 (Until Entries Close)

Website:

www.atta.co.za

Facebook:

Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen

Instagram:

@attakwasmtb