Kevin Benkenstein smashed a world-class field to win the 726 km Rhino Run Entrée in just over 38 hours. This phenomenal pace has set the bar pretty high for the Fastest Known Time for the Cape Cycle Routes Cross Cape, a much-loved and ridden adventure route that takes ‘normal’ people ten days or more to traverse and provided the bulk of the Entrée route.

Benkenstein didn’t stop there, though. The Rhino Run continues a further 2 000 km to Windhoek, Namibia. After a short break, Benkenstein set off into the dead of night towards the Cederberg. As Kevin arrived in Stellenbosch, second-placed Abdullah Zeinab was 50 km behind, with Jimmy Ashby in third place 85 km from the lead.

 

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After many years of planning, the inaugural Rhino Run finally kicked off at 6:22am on Friday 21 October from Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. This new 2 750 km solo and unsupported bike packing race began with the stunning but slightly modified Cross Cape cycle route, which serves as the Rhino Run Entree. This sector is a mixed-terrain odyssey with stunning gravel passes, a traverse of the remote Klein Karoo, and seemingly endless jaw-dropping vistas. The riding is tough at times, with recent storms washing away topsoil to reveal a jagged rocky surface and littering the rough roads with potholes for much of the course. The final challenge on the track to Stellenbosch is the famed Rusty Gate climb.

The Rhino Run has a charitable focus, with riders confirming their Rhino Run entry by donating to the Masaka Cycling Club. This charitable foundation does amazing work unearthing and developing Ugandan cycling talent. Part of the entry proceeds helped three talented Ugandan cyclists to take part in the Rhino Run. Kato Paul, Wasswa Peter and Florence Nakaggwa, have all lined up against an incredibly strong field in their first bikepacking race.

The inaugural event has attracted some of the biggest names in bike packing racing, including Sofiane Sehili, Josh Ibbett and Sarah Hammond among others.

Heading north from Stellenbosch, the course gets increasingly remote, eventually crossing the border into Namibia and traversing the harsh Namib desert before concluding in Windhoek. The long distances between services and the desert heat will be a new experience for many of the riders, even the seasoned bike packing racers in the field.

At their current blistering pace, the first riders are expected to arrive in Windhoek in approximately seven days.

Follow the dots RIGHT HERE – just be warned, it’s adddictive.

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