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Last Friday, I raced HYROX Pro weights in the 55–59 age group… and I was fortunate enough to win. That means I’ve now qualified for the HYROX World Championships in Sweden this June — something that means a lot to me. For 6 months of last year I was out of action with an achilles tear. Then, when I could finally run again, in Johannesburg, in November last year, I missed hyrox WC qualification after running extra laps in the running section. Losing focus like that costs you

It's a tough race. I gave it my best. I won my age group (solo, 55 to 59 years old). 56min. I have now qualified for World Champs in London in September 2026. Super stoked.

HYROX JHB report back. I was nervous — properly nervous. The kind of nervous where your legs shake like you’re giving a presentation… even when you’ve tried picturing everyone naked.That’s called sympathetic overload. It’s a real physiological phenomenon. It’s human. And yes, it can be managed… just apparently not by me today ( although I do know how...just saying). I knew how much was riding on this race: Maybe my last shot at qualifying for World Champs in June 2026. Planni

What is the DEADLY DOZEN I am loving this sport. The Deadly Dozen is a fitness race that was designed to be one of the hardest yet most accessible and scalable fitness races in the world. The race consists of 12x 400m Runs around an Athletics Track and 12x Labours (Exercise Stations). The Labours only use Bodyweight (BW), Kettlebell (KB), Dumbbell (DB), and Weight Plate (WP) exercises, meaning every well-equiped gym, even home gym, has the equipment needed to train for the ra

Some may say it’s a privilege being Ingrid’s left Achilles tendon. And, well, it was… in the beginning. There were perks. I got to live in Benoni, travel across mountains, through rivers, dance on tabletops, and yes — in the early days, I caught occasional glimpses of Ingrid’s boobs. From far away, of course. These days? They're much closer. But lately? The boobs er perks are... questionable. Over the past few years, I’ve been subjected to repeated humiliations. Poked, prodde

Clarens Gravalist Series 500 – The Tarts' official Race Report The Gravalist 500km ultra-bikepacking challenge is an unsupported endurance ride that pushes riders to their limits. Each route is uniquely crafted, offering a mix of rugged terrain, hazards, and breathtaking landscapes. Riders receive a GPX file two weeks before the event. The challenge can be completed in 24 hours for the bold or within three days to make the cut-off. Participants can compete solo to beat the r

Hyrox Cape Town. Open solo. 50 to 54 year old women. The hyrox format It was tough, as expected, but my mind was strong. I have learnt new tools to keep me calm, grounded, focused and in the zone. Thanks Dr Roddy Carter and Tracey Clark for helping master my thoughts. The sled pull was the toughest. I lost time on this station. I am now not sure if Father Christmas will still want me to pull his sleigh. I may have to try my luck (in more ways than one) with an elf. The burpe

Race2Paarl a Freedom Challenge event. 620 km. A lot of ascent. Yoh. What a race. Sarah van Heerden , you are a splendid tart. It was a Roller-coaster of emotions. Day1: 220km, Willowmore to De Hel (via Prince Albert). 20 hours. The race day started at 6 AM In Willowmore. As usual the ride to Prince Albert was muddy and windy and our progress was slower than hoped. It was hard to leave the luxuries of Prince Albert, but we pushed on into the night. We arrived at De Hel at a

Wow! This Cape Epic was a beast to conquer. Ann Elizabeth Harrison was a fantastic partner: kind, patient and so strong! Thank you my friend! We surprised ourselves by finishing 3rd in the Grand Masters category. On occasion we even dabbled with second position. Podium girls! In my wildest dreams I could never have imagined standing on a podium at the Cape Epic. Getting older ain't so bad! If this is life after menopause, then sign me up! Thank you Absa South Africa and #sheu

Yowzer. The dust has settled and I can now reflect on my race to Paarl, a Freedom Challenge event from Willowmore to Paarl ( actually Wellington). It's always tough. The usual highs and lows... headwind, some mud, cold, tiredness, sore toes, sore hands and saddle discomfort. Unfortunately bad weather resulted in a route change and we were re-routed around Die Hel via Calitzdorp. But wow, what beautiful scenery especially into Calitzdorp, Rouxpos and McGregor. Lush green fiel

Two tarts on a bike. Racing to Rhodes. Freedom Dot-Watchers https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChallengeSA?mibextid=ZbWKwL As any woman would know:"2 inches to the right makes all the difference" It was a fantastic adventure with Sarah van Heerden. We rode hard. We had a goal. It was to finish in 2 .5 days. It was all going well until.....the flood plains of Queens Mercy, near Matatiele. This is a a tricky navigational section, especially at night. And I was navigating! But, I

In a bit of a stress detox. Lots of thoughts; some patting on the back... some dark... some self flagellation. I am remembering my promise to be kind to myself. I am so thankful for all the support and love. I always knew this was Berg was going to be the epic challenge; I think the odds were never in our (mine and Dave's) favour, but we gave it a good try. That's all we could do; just try. It would have been a flippen awesome fairy tale ending, but then again this is real l

Many years ago, David Waddilove set the Freedom Challenge Extreme Triathlon in motion. After running from Cape Town to Durban, he turned West and ran the Comrades Marathon from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. The very next day he began a mountain bike ride and portage over mountains, through farms, along cattle tracks and gravel roads across South Africa back to Paarl, and then he paddled along the Berg River to finish his return journey in Velddrif, on the West Coast. I hope to

A month ago, I was living a peaceful life in a garage in Durban North, nestled between a surfski and a paddle ski. The only girl in the...

Last weekend I flew to Durban, without the canoe, and travelled by car, without the canoe, to Pietermaritzburg. My aim for the weekend was three-fold. Each task had to be successfully accomplished before taking on the next task. If I failed to accomplish any of the three tasks, I would not be able to get a late entry for the Dusi: 1. I first had to pass my river proficiency test on the Umgeni River. If I passed that, then: 2. Two hours later I would be allowed to padd

I am making the most of my journey, and living in the now. Given that the objective of my 12x12Challenge is to encourage African women and girls to take on new, and daunting, challenges – physical, emotional and psychological - I chose the Dusi as it was guaranteed to push me out of my comfort zone. Why? Well…until last year, I had never paddled – professionally, or recreationally. I had only stirred. And, as I have learnt over the past 5.5 months since I took up my new sport

3 x 4 genetics test kit I received an early Christmas present today. From Anthony, my husband. No. It is not the bicycle. That is already mine. It is a genetic test from 3X4 Genetics. All I need to do is use the swab to gather some cells from the inside of my cheek (mouth). My first thoughts on receiving my present were that Anthony might be worried that we are, in fact, cousins. The East Rand is a small place. I am very excited to do the test. As is Anthony. Not only will I

I have a couple of tough challenges set up for 2022. The Iron Man, the Comrades marathon, the Race Across South Africa, the Sky Run, and Everesting the Westcliff steps, to name a few. However, the two that scare me the most are the Duzi and Berg River Canoe marathons. I am not a paddler.... I am a stirrer! Having never paddled before, I now intend to fulfil a dream and paddle the 120km Dusi Canoe marathon in February 2022 and the 240km Berg River Canoe Marathon in July 2022.

"Enjoy your body, use it every way you can Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it It's the greatest instrument you'll...

Yes, I have written a book, If the Cleat Fits.... It tells the real-life story of my crazy adventures while participating in an extreme, non-stop, self-navigational mountain bike race from Pietermaritzburg to Rhodes (Eastern Cape). Fondly known as the Race to Rhodes. A journey of 500 km across some remote, but spectacular areas of South Africa. The escapades described in the book are based on real-life situations that occurred over two separate Race to Rhodes mountain biking