GRABOUW, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA — On February 22-23, under clear skies and warm conditions, XTERRA South Africa kicked off the 2025 XTERRA World Tour. In its 18th edition, the weekend’s events delivered speed, grit, and defining moments. With temperatures climbing to 25°C around the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Africa’s first UNESCO-listed biosphere, the conditions were primed for fast racing and fierce battles across every division.
In the men’s elite field, Ryno Owen (ZAF) made an immediate impact in his XTERRA pro debut, claiming victory in 2:37:10 ahead of fellow South African Joshua Steytler (2:45:41). The women’s race had an unexpected twist as Mozambican, Andrea Schöfmann, racing in the 20-24 age group, was the first woman to finish in 3:12:22, crossing the line ahead of South Africa’s newly minted elite Linda Detering (3:16:37). But the defining moment came at the finish, where Owen and Schöfmann—partners off the course—celebrated together as champions.
"Watching my girlfriend come through the finish line, also winning overall—it was pretty special that both of us could grab the tape!" Owen said. Schöfmann added, "It’s not every day you experience something like this. That made it even more special."
Meanwhile, the Chase family of Namibia turned the event into a family triumph, sweeping three divisions. Micah Chase (Youth A, 14-15, 27:36), Nathan Chase (Youth B, 16-17, 1:07:43), and Greg Chase (AG 50-54, 3:00:35) all took wins, marking a rare generational victory. The 2025 XTERRA South Africa opener delivered everything from breakthrough performances to emotional finishes, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Four-time XTERRA World Champion Conrad “The Caveman” Stoltz (ZAF) has shaped XTERRA South Africa in more ways than one. As a course architect, MTB coach, and off-road pioneer, he helped design a course that pushed the limits through the wild beauty of Grabouw.
Swim (1.5K): The race began in Eikenhof Dam, its tannin-rich waters creating a striking contrast against the mountain backdrop. Athletes navigated a two-lap swim with an Australian exit, adding an extra challenge before heading to shore.
Bike (28K): The mountain bike course was a mix of fast-flowing and rocky technical sections. Over 70% of the course was singletrack, featuring a figure-eight loop and the infamous “Rock Garden”, a rugged sandstone descent that tested handling skills.
Run (10K): The final stretch weaved through singletrack, jeep trails, and water crossings, keeping runners on edge. Key features included the 100-meter “Swamble” section, a rocky stream crossing, and “Caveman’s Jacuzzi”, a jungle-like water crossing before the sandy sprint to the finish.
The Eikenhof Dam lay still on Saturday morning for the Full Distance Triathlon, mirroring the rugged fynbos slopes, while beneath the surface, the intensity was rising. For some, the swim was an opportunity to take control—for others, it was a fight to stay in the race.
Andrea Schöfmann (MOZ, AG 20-24 Women) went in with no expectations. “I came into the event to try something new and just do it for fun,” she said. “But I am a racer at heart, so just ‘doing it for fun’ isn’t really in my vocabulary.” Her swim strategy? “Pretty much a don’t-drown-and-just-make-it-to-the-finish situation.”
At the front of the men’s race, Ryno Owen (ZAF, Elite Men) had a strong start but knew there was work to do. “Quite happy with my swim position-wise, I left the water close to the front, but would have liked to get the time down,” he admitted. He wasn’t alone in that thought. Jacques Badenhorst (ZAF, AG 25-29 Men) pushed hard early, then paid for it later. “I started slightly too fast and didn’t have enough endurance to keep up the pace on my second lap.”
Out of the water, the 28K bike course was waiting—fast, technical, and unforgiving. Owen knew exactly what he needed to do. “I had to transition as quickly as possible and work really hard for the first few kilometers of the bike before the descent started,” he said. “I know the descents pretty well and wanted clear space ahead of me.”
Behind him, Joshua Steytler (ZAF, Elite Men) and Badenhorst chased hard, riding together in a group of three for a time. “We soon caught [Joshua], and we rode together,” Badenhorst recalled. But as the race wore on, he started losing time to the leaders. “I lost some time on the second lap to second place but had a sizable gap over fourth.”
For age group winner Tanya Rabie (ZAF, AG 50-54 Women), the bike leg was her highlight. “Great bike route, my favorite,” she said. But the best moment? “Mastering the Rock Garden!”
Schöfmann, meanwhile, was having too much fun to care about anything else. “I loved the trails on the bike stint and wished that I could do 10K more of that instead of running,” she said. “I had so much fun on the technical track, and I can’t get enough of that landscape.”
By the time the 10K trail run began, the heat had climbed, and the toughest part of the race was still ahead. Owen, unsure of his lead, pushed hard to the finish. “I did not know what the gap was to second place, so I ended up running really hard,” he said.
Badenhorst, despite fading in the final stretch, found himself embracing the challenge. “The run was my favorite, a hot and tough course with a few interesting water crossings to cool you off,” he said. “Hearing the crowd as you start your second lap of the bike gives you that little boost of energy.”
For another winner of the day, Lizl Hobson (ZAF, AG 55-59 Women), the run was about pushing limits and embracing the journey. “The kloofing in the river was very refreshing,” she said. “Excellent course, great organization, and an epic day.”
At the finish, Owen broke the tape, securing his first XTERRA Elite victory. Moments later, Schöfmann crossed as the first woman overall. “I loved coming into the finish and hearing that Ryno, my boyfriend, won the XTERRA men’s race,” she said.
From Owen’s breakthrough win to Schöfmann’s unexpected triumph, from Badenhorst’s battle through the heat to Hobson’s endurance on the trails, XTERRA South Africa was a race that demanded everything and gave back moments that will last long after the dust settles.
Ahead of the race weekend, a deep dive in the 2025 XTERRA Youth Tour shared the story of how this year's rising stars are looking to make their mark. The next generation took the reins on Sunday, February 23, with South Africa’s powerhouse youth contingent on full display, but this year, it was Namibia’s Micah and Nathan Chase who shared the spotlight.
In the Youth A (14-15) boys race, Micah Chase (NAM, 27:36) set the tone early, leading from the start and holding off a strong challenge from Matthew Ratcliffe (ZAF, 27:54), who stayed within striking distance but couldn’t close the gap. Caleb Jonathan Hunter (ZAF, 33:55) rounded out the podium after a determined effort on the trails.
The Youth B (16-17) Boys race saw Nathan Chase (NAM, 1:07:43) claim victory with a commanding performance, crossing the line nearly six minutes ahead of South Africa’s Steffan Hillebrand (1:13:00). Christopher McLagan (ZAF, 1:18:12) took third, fighting through the technical course to secure a podium finish.
Beyond the thrill of the Chase boys’ heroics, South Africa’s youth talent shined, securing podium spots across the board. In the Juniors (18-19) Men’s race, Antony Clayton (ZAF, 1:02:56) delivered a dominant performance, finishing ahead of Alessandro Fanicchi (ZAF, 1:05:28) and Regan Wille (ZAF, 1:10:44).
The girls’ races were all about determination and grit. Jeané Smith (ZAF, 31:34) took the Youth A (14-15) Girls victory with a strong effort, followed by Mila-Mari Bolz (ZAF, 39:55) and Carla Truter (ZAF, 44:11). In Youth B (16-17) Girls, Nadia Van Wyk (ZAF, 1:18:11) took home the top spot, while Lena Wiroth (ZAF, 2:45:55) claimed victory in the Juniors (18-19) Women’s race.
From Micah and Nathan Chase’s breakout wins to the next generation of South African champions rising through the ranks, this was a race that proved the journey to the 2025 XTERRA Youth World Championship starts here.
(Name, Country, Division, Time)
Women
Linda Detering, ZAF, Elite Women, 3:16:37
Andrea Schöfmann, MOZ, AG 20‑24 Women, 3:12:22
Monique Brynard, ZAF, AG 25‑29 Women, 3:43:51
Cherie Redecker, DEU, AG 35‑39 Women, 3:29:32
Margitta Wright, ZAF, AG 40‑44 Women, 3:26:22
Simone Evans, CHE, AG 45‑49 Women, 3:24:53
Tanya Rabie, ZAF, AG 50‑54 Women, 3:24:04
Lizl Hobson, ZAF, AG 55‑59 Women, 3:42:30
Elizma Geldenhuys, ZAF, AG 60‑64 Women, 4:29:25
Jeané Smith, ZAF, Youth A (14-15) Women, 31:34
Nadia Van Wyk, ZAF, Youth B (16–17) Women, 1:18:11
Lena Wiroth, ZAF, Junior (18–19) Women, 2:45:55
Men
Ryno Owen, ZAF, Elite Men, 2:37:10
Ian Volschenk, ZAF, AG 18‑19 Men, 3:09:59
Sj Swanepoel, ZAF, AG 20‑24 Men, 3:05:09
Jacques Badenhorst, ZAF, AG 25‑29 Men, 2:47:00
James Grobler, ZAF, AG 30‑34 Men, 3:31:01
Matthew Daneel, ZAF, AG 35‑39 Men, 2:48:47
Christoff Louw, ZAF, AG 40‑44 Men, 3:01:29
Sakkie Hanekom, ZAF, AG 45‑49 Men, 2:52:43
Greg Chase, NAM, AG 50‑54 Men, 3:00:35
Rob Scholtz, BRA, AG 55‑59 Men, 3:12:16
Vaughan Ulyate, ZAF, AG 60‑64 Men, 3:24:26
Micah Chase, NAM, Youth A (14-15) Men, 27:36
Nathan Chase, NAM, Youth B (16–17) Men, 1:07:43
Antony Clayton, ZAF, Junior (18–19) Men, 1:02:56
The XTERRA Trail Run World Series, brought together seasoned competitors and first-time trail runners alike on Sunday as well. The 21K Half Marathon, a qualifier for the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Snowdonia, Wales, saw some of the toughest runners take on the diverse landscapes of Grabouw. In the end, Siviwe Nkombi (ZAF, 1:33:59) and Tish Jones (GBR, 1:45:36) secured victories, with Jones punching her ticket to Snowdonia after years of racing as a triathlete in XTERRA South Africa.
Alongside the trail run qualifiers, the XTERRA Full Distance Triathlon awarded 28 qualification spots to the 2025 XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, Italy, adding even more significance to an already electric weekend.
XTERRA South Africa was an experience built on community, exploration, and the power of off-road racing. The festival atmosphere came alive with the smell of braais, the laughter of families, and the incredible support of volunteers and organizers who made the event feel like home. From seasoned athletes to young adventurers, everyone had a place on the trails, whether racing, cheering, or simply soaking in the energy.
XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure.
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