Van Tonder tamed The Beast
Van Tonder once again showed why he is nicknamed #BeastMode, finishing his race in 01:13:00.
South Africa’s top Obstacle Course Race (OCR) competitor, Thomas van Tonder, made a clean sweep of all 12 Beast Challenge Obstacle Course races in 2017 when he took the gold at the 12th Beast Elite OCR race in Muldersdrift.
The meet, which took place on Saturday, 11 November, saw 140 athletes descend upon The Wedge 4 x 4 Trail in Muldersdrift for the final Beast Challenge OCR of the year.
Along with 31 other competitors, Van Tonder took on the day’s toughest elite race – the 12km, 50-obstacle Savage Beast Race.
Van Tonder once again showed why he is nicknamed #BeastMode, finishing his race in 01:13:00, just over 10 minutes ahead of the second-placed Bradley Classe in 01:23:51. Third place went to Vaughan Proctor in a time of 01:36:00.
“What a blessing to be able to take home 12 of 12 of The Beast series – another amazing day at the OCR office,” Van Tonder said.
This family-friendly event offers three distinct levels of entry – the Tame Beast, a fun short course suitable for beginners; the Wild Beast, an intermediate race for fitter, more competitive athletes; and the Savage Beast, an elite, gruelling test of physical fitness, strength and mental ability, suitable for serious athletes.
In the women’s elite race, over the exact same course as the men’s elite, Sam Gilchrist took the win in 01:39:18; Cindy Wills claimed silver in a time of 01:40:32, and Sam Ryder completed the podium in 01:46:34.
Owner of Jeep Team South Africa, Max Cluer, said, “Thomas is a machine who is utterly motivated to be the best he can be. This humble man is loved by all that meet him, even his fiercest competitors. We are extremely proud of him and his national and international achievements this year.”
Results:
Savage Beast – Men
• Thomas van Tonder 01:13:00
• Bradley Claase 01:23:51
• Vaughan Proctor 01:36:00
Savage Beast – Women
• Sam Gilchrist 01:39:18
• Cindy Wills 01:40:32
• Sam Ryder 01:46:34
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