Attakwas Offers Biggest Payday on the UCI Marathon Calendar
There’s a new reason to take on the Hell of the South.
The Attakwas Extreme is increasing its prize money for 2027, with the winners of the elite men’s and women’s races set to take home $6,000 (approximately R96,000*) each. The increased purse brings the total prize money to $18,400 (R294,400*), making it the biggest on the 2027 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon (XCM) calendar.
The 21st edition of the 120km race, known as the Hell of the South, takes place on 16 January. Organisers Dryland Event Management hope the bigger payday will attract more international professionals to South Africa, where the race traditionally draws some of the country’s leading marathon riders.
The increase follows an extension of the partnerships with title sponsor Momentum Medical Scheme and presenting sponsor Biogen, providing the organisers with the backing to raise the stakes for the elite field.
“We’ve made the decision to get there, and Momentum Medical Scheme and Biogen have made it possible to start now. This is the first instalment,” says Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management, referring to the organisers’ ambition to make the Attakwas the richest one-day marathon in the world.
The race is not there yet. Leadville, a non-UCI-affiliated event in the United States, currently offers $10,000 to each of its men’s and women’s winners.
The 2027 Attakwas purse will be split equally between the elite men’s and women’s categories, with prize money awarded down to fifth place.
The 2027 Attakwas purse will be split equally between the elite men’s and women’s categories, with prize money awarded down to fifth place. The winners will each receive $6,000 (R96,000), second place earns $1,800 (R28,800) and third place $900 (R14,400). Fourth and fifth place will receive $200 (R3,200) and $100 (R1,600) respectively. The King and Queen of the Mountain prizes will also be paid in US dollars, with $200 (R3,200) going to the first man and woman to reach the summit of the Attakwaskloof climb, 55km into the race.
Rademeyer says the prize-money increase is intended to encourage more international riders, particularly professionals training in Stellenbosch during the northern hemisphere winter, to line up at the event.
The race has already attracted high-level competition. Alan Hatherly, the two-time cross-country world champion, won the men’s race in 2025 and 2026, setting a new course record of 4 hours, 25 minutes and 10 seconds in the latter edition. Hayley Preen is the defending women’s champion, while Annika Langvad’s women’s course record of 5 hours, 25 minutes and 55 seconds has stood since 2017.
The 120km route covers 2,900m of climbing between Chandelier Game Lodge outside Oudtshoorn and Pine Creek Resort in Great Brak River, taking riders through the remote Attakwaskloof. Amateur cyclists can tackle the same course as the elite field, while shorter options include a 47km Half and a 32km Mini, which also cater for junior marathon riders.
The 2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, takes place on 16 January. Entries are available at atta.co.za.
*All prize money is denominated in US Dollars. The South African Rand value stated in this document was taken at the exchange rate of 16.00 ZAR to the USD in September 2026.