PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Three learners of Greenwood Bay College and one home-schooled learner recently impressed all with a stunning performance in the 60km Expedition Africa race in Swellendam.
Organised by Kinetic Events, Expedition Africa is an adventure race in Swellendam that consists of a 10km paddle down the Breede River, a short 2km run, followed by a 12km ride along dusty hot farm roads up to the Swellendam mountains.
The next 16km run has difficult naviga-tion, and the final stretch is a 27km cycle.
Adventure racing involves navigating through farm roads, down rivers, up mountains and some bundu bashing, with only the help of your team, a map and compass.
As the route is not marked, it involves orienteering. These kids showed incredible tenacity and resilience in the 33ºC heat, facing strong winds and tough navigation.
Brian Fraser-Mackenzie (16), Roy Fraser-Mackenzie (13), Keaton Bass (15) (all from GBC) and Kayla Spinelli (15) (home-schooled) came together to take part in the 60km race as Team Impi, completing it in 12 hours - a second place in their category and fourth overall.
They were the only children's team in an adult event.
According to GBC's Leigh Gips, the team was in high spirits the whole time, singing songs, joking and supporting each other.
Incredible attitude for a long and gruelling race in the heat of summer.
They even had time and energy to enthuse later about their sightings of king proteas, special fynbos species and blue cranes along the way.
Team Impi celebrating at the finish line. From left: Kayla Spinell, Brian Fraser-Mackenzie, Roy Fraser-Mackenzie, and Keaton Bass.
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