Three Lowvelders are competing in an endurance initiative, The Bigg Pull, starting today, November 2, and running until December 12. The challenge entails pulling a 15-tonne truck over a distance of 1 671km from Centurion to Cape Town.

Lourens (55), Amelia Smidt (55), and Johannes Meyer (28) form part of a 20-member team that will be participating in the challenge. They stand a chance to be part of a Guinness World Record achievement. The team wants to prove to fellow South Africans that determination and unity can achieve anything.

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Aim to inspire through teamwork

“The significance of The Bigg Pull extends far beyond the physical challenge itself. The initiative is designed to inspire South Africans through a message of perseverance, determination, teamwork, faith, personal growth and community spirit. It demonstrates what can be achieved when ordinary people commit themselves to an extraordinary purpose and work together towards a common goal,” said Lourens.

The team will travel through six provinces and 38 towns with a minimum travel requirement of 40km each day. It will be a true test of mental, physical and emotional endurance of each member.

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Lowveld power athletes ready for the road

The three Lowvelders are all experienced power athletes and will be well prepared for the challenge. Lourens received Protea colours as a former team manager of the IFBB/BBSA 2023 Worlds team, while Amelia was awarded Protea colours for bodybuilding and a medal winner in the 2023 IFBB World Games. Meyer is a strongman athlete.

They qualified for the Bigg Pull after being selected as members of the 2026 Power Team. They had to endure a rigorous selection process and participate in a demanding 12-hour fitness evaluation and rehearsal held at Air Force Base Swartkops on June 27. The selection day included over eight hours of pulling the truck.

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Athletes raise funds for chosen charities

Members of the Power Team each chose a charity to support and use The Bigg Pull to raise funds. Lourens chose the Gift of Sight Trust, which focuses on providing corrective eye care and restoring vision to those in need. Amelia chose the WRSA Foundation (Wildlife Ranching South Africa Foundation), which is dedicated to wildlife protection, biodiversity and conservation efforts across South Africa, and Meyer selected the Hero Burn Foundation, an organisation supporting burn survivors and their families through hope, healing, and recovery resources.

Live-stream coverage and real-time updates are available on The Bigg Pull Official Portal or via The Bigg Pull Instagram.

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