Ballito’s Timothy Hay aims for the roof

Months of tough training and dedication saw Ballito’s Timothy Hay competing and finishing one of the toughest enduro races in the southern hemisphere – The Roof of Africa.

The three day race is considered one of the toughest off-road endurance events in the world.

The race that takes place in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, began in 1968 and has attracted overseas interest and regular participation from overseas competitors.

The routes see riders making their way around huts, mountains and the difficult slopes of Lesotho facing many obstacles and challenges. Literally pushing through the blood, sweat and tears.

Hay who owns his own production company, is the director and producer of the Journey to the Roof, which is currently airing on Supersport.

The documentary is about the process of training for a difficult event like the Roof of Africa.

After this his third year taking part in the race, almost eight hours on his bike and months of uninterrupted training, Hay said he was proud that he completed a more difficult route in the race this year.

“There are three levels that can be classified from hard to more difficult. The levels are broze, silver and gold. Bronze is for the guys who are starting out and the route is shorter and easier, silver is more difficult with a slightly more challenging route and with gold the routes are very difficult and they are longer. I plan to go gold next year. ”

Hay trained twice a week for the race, preparing his mind and body for the race.

“My training includes high intensity cross fit at my home gym. I also cycle, surf, do weight training and eight laps on my motorbike. I try to run on the beach as much as possible and I do what is called hypoxic training underwater with a kettle bell, where I hold my breath under water to expand my lungs.”

According to Hay, riders should not consider taking part in the race without intensive training.

“Riding enduro can be soul draining and very costly. We are very lucky to have a TV series, so we can offer sponsors advertising.

“We have been stuck on hills that look totally impossible to get up and have made grown men cry, faint and give up two meters before the top – but if your mind is in the right place, your heart is set on achieving greatness and your wallet has a bit of money in it, nothing will stop you.

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