In a remarkable display of endurance and determination, Namibian cyclist Marckx Coetzee shattered the record in South Africa’s grueling Big Munga race. The Big Munga, the longest ultra-endurance MTB race in South Africa, spans 1,137 kilometers from Bloemfontein to Wellington, navigating challenging terrain through the Karoo desert.
Coetzee’s extraordinary achievement saw him break the previous record of 50 hours and 30 minutes by an impressive three hours, completing the arduous race in an astonishing 47 hours and 37 minutes. This accomplishment not only crowned him the winner but also fulfilled his personal goal of finishing the race in under 48 hours.
News of Coetzee’s triumph swiftly spread across the South African media, making headlines and capturing the nation’s attention. “Superman triumphs,” exclaimed a poster in Die Burger, featuring a photo of Coetzee proudly holding his mountain bike aloft at the finish line with his gold medal. News24 reported, “Superman of Namibia wins Munga in record time.” Coetzee’s remarkable feat even earned him a spot on Kyknet’s ‘Die Groot Ontbyt’ program on Dstv, showcasing his extraordinary journey.
Despite returning to work in Windhoek, Coetzee found himself in high demand for interviews, with media outlets eager to share his incredible story. Reflecting on his achievement, Coetzee expressed his satisfaction with breaking the 48-hour mark, emphasizing his determination to push his physical limits.
Coetzee’s strategy in the race involved taking an early lead and riding solo after just 10 minutes. Remarkably, he slept for only about 15 minutes over the course of the two-day race. He recounted a pivotal moment when, after covering 960 kilometers and battling exhaustion, he couldn’t keep his eyes open. Setting his alarm for 15 minutes, he took a brief nap, had two sandwiches and a coffee, and resumed his journey, conquering the final 180 kilometers.
Coetzee secured an impressive lead of over three hours ahead of the second-placed rider, Thinus Redelinghuys, who completed the race in 50 hours and 53 minutes. Willie Smit clinched third place with a time of 56 hours and 11 minutes.
Marckx Coetzee’s victory in the Big Munga marked the completion of a remarkable endurance record trilogy, as he now holds all three Munga titles in record times. In addition to the Big Munga, he triumphed in the 500km Munga Grit Tankwa in a record time of 22 hours and 17 minutes last year, and the 500km Munga Grit Cradle in a record time of 21 hours and 47 minutes.
Coetzee attributed his success to meticulous preparation, focusing on various weather conditions and scenarios, both day and night. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the race, particularly the scorching temperatures in the Loxton area, where temperatures reached approximately 50 degrees Celsius. However, he managed to maintain his strength and composure throughout the race, recovering quickly afterward.
As Coetzee’s achievement continued to sink in, he expressed his gratitude to his sponsors for their unwavering support throughout the years. He acknowledged that such accomplishments require years of dedication and hard work. Coetzee extended his thanks to sponsors including The Janine and Suzelle Davin Sport Trust, Indongo Toyota, Hollard Namibia, BRG Biokinetics, Garmin, DeoPharma, and Gravel & Tour, recognizing their role in his success.
