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Dirt, Sweat and Fever

 Dirt, Sweat and Fever: Conquering the 1.000 hills around Rwanda

 Ulrich Bartholmoes started RaR 2023 with the goal to win, but the universe had some surprised for him. He presents Dirt, Sweat, Fever, a documentary about resilience, determination and the unpredictability of ultra-cycling.

Movie premiere at 7pm on 24 October via YouTube (below)

Results RaR2020

The inaugural Race Around Rwanda is over. Extreme weather made the course even more challenging than expected, yet almost everyone managed to reach the finish line. Find the final results here. 

Solo results RaR01 2020

Pair Results RaR01 2020

The inaugural Race Around Rwanda took place from the 2nd to the 7th of February 2020. It was an eagerly anticipated event which brought together 67 participants from 23 different countries to take on a challenging route across the Land of a Thousand Hill’. 

While the participants gathered in Kigali there were a lot of conversations about the weather, with many trying to predict when the ‘dry season’ might actually start, and what tyres would best deal with the conditions! Despite the uncertainty from above, the race kicked off at 0430 on a dry and misty East African morning. The racers headed off to the East taking in the rolling hills close to Akagera National Park and it wasn’t long before there were some splits in the field. By 0730 Jason Black had summoned the strength to mount his bike, leave Kigali and begin the ‘catch up’, all done while dealing with severe food poisoning.  

During the first night all riders experienced a large tropical storm, this was.especially felt by those out on the second gravel section! Gravel conditions were extremely challenging and the tarmac was treasured!! The only abandon of the race happened at this point, completly worn out brake pads, no spares and still 600k to go, Josh Ibbett could not see any other option than to DNF while being 2nd place at the moment.
The racers then made their way through the Volcanes and then to the shores of Lake Kivu before turning South towards Nyungwe Jungle. By the middle of the race there was a clear leader in Ultan Coyle, but 2nd-5th places were hard on his tail! Rob Gardiner put in a strong effort of 500km straight to try to close the gap. The pairs race was in full flow with 2 Rwandan teams battling out for the lead. This was made all the more impressive as it was their first ever ultra race.

After a beautiful cycle through the oldest jungle in Africa the competitors were into the final stretch of the race. The one remaining gravel section changed dramatically over a 48 hour period after heavy rain and then baking sun….but this only added to the challenge, adventure and race. All riders found their way safely back to Kigali in time for some well deserved beers at the finishers party!!!

The Journey

Not every cyclist is a racer, some ar journeyers too. All participants were free to use shortcuts and alternative roads as they wished, we did not keep a ranking, but their time at each checkpoints was registered nonetheless and can be found on the livetracking page: http://rar-journey.legendstracking.com/

Join the Race Around Rwanda

Race Around Rwanda 2023 starts on February 5th at 4am

RaR has moved back to the original date in the first week of February. Tickets now sold out, see below for waiting list. 

The Race around Rwanda (RaR) is an ultra endurance cycling event that leads contestants over a spectacular route around the beautiful Rwandan countryside. It is a self supported, single stage race covering almost 1.000 km and 17.000 meters of elevation gain. About 40% of the race will be gravel roads, the rest is raced on smooth tarmac.

It is a self supported race, meaning that participants need to carry all their own luggage, cannot use outside support and are not allowed to draft (participants signed up as pairs can ride together). However, some of the checkpoints will have basic lodging options and warm meals (included in entry fee).

 

Tickets now sold out. Fill in waiting list to be notified when tickets are available again (first to fill list: first to be notified)

What does it cost?

Prices are the same for single race entries and pair race entries (per person)

  • Standard price: €270 + cycling gear donation (see below)
  • East African Residents: €220
  • East African Nationals: €120

You find payment instructions and Terms and Conditions on the registration page

What is included in the price?

  • Luggage storage during the race
  • Discounts at partnering hotels in Kigali
  • Basic pre-race breakfast
  • 4 check points at hotels, with friendly RaR faces that happily offer you food and water
  • Race doctor and ambulance stand-by and firts aid at check points
  • Rental of GPS tracker & real-time live tracking
  • GPX file of the route
  • Paper race booklet
  • Race goodies (incl. T-shirt, race cap, Rwandan gifts)
  • Finisher award
  • HD versions of pictures taken by our photographers
  • Finisher party
  • Local SIM card

Planning

Day/TimeItem
February 4th/All DayRace Registration and bike check in
February 4th/4pmMandatory Race Briefing
February 5th/4amRace Start
February 11th/23:59pmFinish Time Limit
February 11th/6.30pmFinish Party
February 12th-13thSafari Trip (info to follow)

Gear donation as entry fee

We have decided to work together with a local organization that supports young Rwandans in their development through the sport of cycling.

Spare parts are incredibly hard to find in Rwanda, and because of this will ask each participant to bring at least one piece of gear to the start of the race. Those pieces can mean the world for young Rwandans!

Detailed instructions will be sent to you once you sign up