The Nedbank Desert Dash hits the 20 Year Mark – entries open in June.

The organisers of the world’s longest single-stage mountain bike event, the Nedbank Namibia Desert Dash, have confirmed the competition’s return for the 20th consecutive year.

Over 1 200 mountain bike cyclists are expected to participate in this year’s event, which is scheduled to start on Friday, 6 December departing from The Grove Mall in Windhoek. The riders will then cycle 397-kilometres across the world’s oldest desert, during the day and at night, before completing the competition in Swakopmund at Platz Am Meer Mall on Saturday, 7 December.

The entry dates for the solo riders and half-solo riders will open Monday, 3 June at 10h00, while the two-person team and two-person half-dash riders open on Monday, 10 June at 10h00, and the four-person team entries will open Monday, June 17, at 10h00. The four-person team entries are the most sought-after category, where in previous years, entry slots sold out in mere seconds.

Organisers have introduced a new separate age category for cyclists over 50 years for the solo dash. Prize money for first, second, and third finishers will be given in both male and female riders in this category. This year’s race will also introduce the two-person half dash, which has no age restrictions except for a minimum age of 16 on event day.

The cyclist turnout in the 2023 race saw a total of 24 female solo riders participate, – 10 from South Africa and seven (7) Namibians. The 2023 race had 166 solo male riders participated in the race, -72 Namibians and 59 South Africa. Namibia and South Africa provided the bulk of the competitors to the race that attracts riders from across the globe.

The entry fees and categories for the 2024 races are as follows, Solo riders, N$4 000;

Two (2) person team, N$7 000; Four (4) person team, N$14 000; Solo Half Dash, N$4 000; and Two (2) person team half-dash, N$7 000.

This year, the early bird entries will be available for 80 team entries only. Twenty (20) early bird entries (which apply to four-person teams only), will again be open with immediate effect until 31 May 2024. Cyclists interested in early bird tickets are requested to email raceday@raceday.events. If selected to purchase an early bird ticket, cyclists will be required to make payment within 24 hours. The total cost for early bird entries cost N$21 000, with N$7 000 going towards charity.

Nedbank Namibia Communication and Public Relations Manager, Selma Kaulinge said: ‘As money experts who do good, we are incredibly proud of hitting the 20-year mark of the longest single stage cycling event in the world, the Nedbank Desert Dash. It is not just about the race, but fostering community spirit, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and providing a platform to see our local and cyclists thrive. With entries about to open, I encourage all cyclists to enter and celebrate with us 20 years of this amazing race,’ she said.

For more information on the Nedbank Desert Dash, contact www.desertdashnamibia.com.