George, Garden Route (February 2026) - An impressively diverse crowd of 580 participants converged at the Carpe Diem School race hub on Saturday 21 February, when the Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC) was staged for the 22nd time. 

Apart from dozens of serious athletes tackling the 42km marathon, 21km half-marathon and 10km competitive races, a slew of fun riders aged from pre-teen to senior were part of the large contingent lining up for the 5km fun route. Among them was ‘Ouma’ Sophie from Worcester: at 102 years, the oldest OCC participant ever.

This year saw the first of a new race-route format that entailed a 10km circuit rather than sending long-distance competitors off on outlying tracks, with York Street being the main stretch and thus allowing motorists and those on foot a first-hand view of the action.  

This good plan made it even more attractive for additional businesses to erect their gazebos, umbrellas and refreshment stations along the way, with a bigger concentration of passersby giving maximum exposure to their brands. Not only was it more spectator-friendly, but many locals expressed their appreciation of the fact that it left Courtenay Street free to navigate.

Of course, not all drivers appreciated the morning’s traffic holdup, but those few were expertly placated by the many officials and marshals that helped directing the flow. On the scale’s other end were people describing the experience as anything between heart-warming and life-altering.

One such a comment was posted on Facebook, the author in question being among the drivers delayed by road closures. She wrote, inter alia: “I didn’t sit in traffic today; I had a lesson,” and continued to express her awe at the event and admiration for the athletes.

Looking back at the past two decades, the OCC has a knack to bring out the best in people and race director Alewijn Dippenaar lauds the many volunteers involved. “Their selfless contributions on race day included everything from setting up the venue and helping with registration to the dishing out of food and medals.” 

He adds that nothing would be possible without business partners backing the OCC. “The race is enabled solely by sponsors that have been taking our hands over the years. There’s simply no way that entry fees could cover staging of this event.

Dippenaar pays tribute to the continued involvement of the provincial government and George Municipality. “Also instrumental from the very outset were Safari and Lancewood, having showed their support over the full 22 years of the event’s existence.

“Yet other allies initiated innovative ways to create exposure for the OCC. This year, the country’s top mobile seating specialists CE Mobility availed two wheelchairs to the value of R25,000 each in a competition piloted by AlgoaFM, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

He also thanks George Herald, iX and Master Cargo, with a special mention to Garden Route Mall. “Although they only came on board last year, their pledge of funds at the time saved the race from being cancelled, and their latest contribution again allowed us to make the OCC fly.”

When talking about foreign athletes in the field this year, he says it was with gratitude that teams from Botswana, Namibia and Zim were welcomed back in George. Unfortunately, the regular contingent of racers from Ghana had a glitch in terms of air tickets, but it’s hoped they would be back next year.

Huge congrats are due to Saturday’s category winners (‘HC’ being Hand Cycle, ‘RC’ Racing Chair and ‘BC’ Basket Chair):
42km male – Stuart McCreadie (HC 1:10:00.387); Munyaradzi Katiyo (RC 2:00:41.855)
42km female – Justine Asher (HC 1:56:08.491); Stellah Jongwe (RC 2:25:19.358)
21km male – Previous Wiri (HC 52:44.998); Nico Khayuxab (RC 1:07:45.677); Lucky Bhukwane (BC 1:43:17.027)
21km female – Larisca Steyn (RC 1:11:04.525)
10km male – Ewald Verster (HC 40:01.278); Carlo Makhari (BC 53:21.264)
10km female – Zukile Nkumeni (RC 1:13:31.710); Ashley-Ann Kortjie (BC 1:33:18.349)

“The general standard of athletes was very high, and we truly appreciate their efforts to reach the venue. I must highlight the enormous cost implications face – it’s not just a case of getting on a bus. You need space for your chair and someone to assist along the way. Most frustratingly, the availability of affordable accommodation accessible to the disabled remains a huge challenge. 

“And yet, athletes such as Capetonian Stuart McCreadie and Worcester local Linden van Wyk make their way to George annually, as well as Martin Ferreira from Bloemfontein, who came second in the 21km race’s RC-category on Saturday.” But explains Dippenaar, victory is hardly the priority here.

“It’s not about crossing the finish line or winning the race. The real gift lies in reaching the starting line. Hundreds of people have made the effort and put in the hours to get to the starting line of this year’s Outeniqua Chair Challenge. We thank them for their dedication to join us for the race.”

Visit www.outeniquachairchallenge.co.za or mail dyndev@mweb.co.za for further information.