Three Lowvelders will be competing in a national endurance and inspirational initiative dubbed The Bigg Pull. If they succeed they will be part of a Guinness World record setting achievement. More importantly, they want to prove to South Africans that determination and unity can achieve anything.

The challenge will see the 20-member Power Team pull a 15-tonne horse and trailer over 1 651km from Centurion to Cape Town over a 40-day period. They will commence on November 2 and finish on December 12.

The undertaking will test the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual resilience of every team member as they travel through six provinces and 38 towns while covering a minimum of 40km each day.

The three local participants are Lourens Smidt (55), recipient of Protea colours as a former team manager of the IFBB/BBSA 2023 Worlds team; Amelia Smidt (55), recipient of Protea colours for bodybuilding and medal winner in the 2023 IFBB World Games; and Johannes Meyer (28), a strongman athlete.

“The Bigg Pull is a unique approach and initiative to reconnect us and reunite us as a nation, by showing that nothing is too hard for South Africans to accomplish,” said Lourens.

The Lowvelders were recently selected as members of the 2026 Power Team. This followed a rigorous selection process and participation 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.

“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 toward a common goal,” said Lourens.

The three Lowvelders are all experienced power athletes and will be well prepared for the challenge. “This will be one of the most demanding endurance challenges attempted in South Africa. Over the coming months Amelia, Johannes and myself will undergo an intensive preparation programme involving
daily training, long-distance walking, strength conditioning, recovery protocols
and nutritional planning.”

Members of the Power Team will each choose a charity to support and use The Bigg Pull to raise funds.

In 2003, a similar challenge was completed. A 20-member team pulled a truck and trailer from Pretoria to Cape Town, a distance of 1 400km, over 35 days.

For more information or to offer support or sponsorship, Lourens can be contacted on 071 438 8413.

The Bigg Pull fact sheet
• Distance: 1 651km
• Duration: 40 days
• Dates: November 2 to December 12
• Route: Crossing six provinces
• Towns: 38 towns
• Daily distance: 40km
• Total steps: Over 2 000 000
• Challenge: Pulling a 15-tonne truck