Can Team Merrel Songlines Beat The World’s Best Adventure Race Teams At Expedition Africa?

by | Mar 31, 2022 | MULTISPORT

31 March 2022, Maseru, Lesotho

11h00 on 3 April 2022 marks the start of Expedition Africa, a 500km adventure race across Lesotho.

Can Team Merrel Songlines Beat The World'S Best Adventure Race Teams At Expedition Africa?
Adventure racing is a bit like a walk in the park, it just happens to a very big walk in a very big park. Sleep isn’t in large supply, nor is time to stop and smell the roses.

Team Merrell Songlines, the recently crowned Africa Adventure World Series Champs, will line up on Sunday at a secret start location deep in the Lesotho mountains alongside some of worlds top adventure race teams, including the former number one ranked team and the current third ranked team. From there competitors, in their respective teams of four, will have to self navigate their way, non stop, over 500km to the finish at Afriski mountain resort. The race course includes 6 different legs, a 214km bike, a 45 kayak and 3 trekking legs covering 180km. The winning team is expected to come in on Wednesday 6 April, 75 hours after the start.

What is Adventure Racing? Check it out!

“Expedition races are very long so it’s hard to have any performance expectations but it’s safe to say the race is going to be tough. Lesotho is not called the roof of Southern Africa for nothing. There is going to be lots of climbing, the weather will be cold and we’ll often be above 3000m.” says Team captain, Kelvin Trautman.

Can Team Merrel Songlines Beat The World'S Best Adventure Race Teams At Expedition Africa?
Kayaking throws a fair bit of spice in the mix at an adventure race, especially if you reach that leg at night!

The race is an important part of Team Merrell Songlines preparation for Adventure Race World Champs in Paraguay in September. “We are really looking forward to seeing how we gel as a team. I have recently joined the team and Jess and Kelvin haven’t done an expedition race before so there is lots to learn here.” says Team Songlines navigator, John Collins, who is one of South Africa’s most decorated adventure racing athletes.

“We are very excited to follow the teams progress next week” says Liezel Jooste, marketing manger of Medicus shoes. The outdoor brand Merrell, recently teamed up with Songlines for the 2022 adventure racing season.

You can track the teams progress live from Sunday at www.expafrica.live and on @wildairsports on social media.

Can Team Merrel Songlines Beat The World'S Best Adventure Race Teams At Expedition Africa?
Navigation, communication, patience with your teammates, tenacity, and backing your leader are crucial to a successful adventure race.

Team Merrell Songlines is an expedition Adventure Racing taking on some of the world’s toughest endurance races.

The team name originates from the term Songline, which is a marked route across the land, sea and sky, used by nomadic Aboriginals for generations to find their way in the wilderness.

The team members that make up the Team Merrell Songlines for Expedition Africa are Jess Pollock, Lance Kime, John Collins and Kelvin Trautman.

Can Team Merrel Songlines Beat The World'S Best Adventure Race Teams At Expedition Africa?
If you can look past the sleep deprivation and suffering, you’ll enjoy a healthy dosage of awe and wonder from being out in the wild places.

For further information contact:
Liezel Jooste, Marketing manager of Medicus Shoes – [email protected]

Kelvin Trautman, Captain of Team Songlines – [email protected]

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