The Munga - The Toughest Race On Earth

[MuddyMike]

FC and Munga, similar but so very different in my opinion

 

FC - 2300km in 26 days = +/- 88 per day

Munga - 1085km in 5 days = +/- 217 per day

 

If I had to stake my life on finishing 1 of them right now, I would rather do the FC.

 

yes, I know there are many other variables such as terrain, time and weather, but this is my top line view of the 2 events.

['Dale]

Can't compare two ultra-endurance events

 

Each unique in their own right

 

Also, meteorological conditions is a huge factor

Look how the heat and block headwind determine the experience at Munga 2016

[nathrix]

"The hardest race on earth"? Harder than the Freedom Challenge? 

 

Please accept my most humble apologies, changed the title as per The Munga website from "Hardest" to "Toughest", I'll take Alex's word for it and most definitely won't argue with him, we all know his pedigree.

[Patchelicious]

Please accept my most humble apologies, changed the title as per The Munga website from "Hardest" to "Toughest", I'll take Alex's word for it and most definitely won't argue with him, we all know his pedigree.

Thats not what I meant and you know it.

 

I haven't done either, and was simply asking a question for those who know better.

[Patchelicious]

Its the 5 day limit that makes it so hard. If was a 10 day limit and you had to do 110km a day, no problem.

Good point

[Slowbee]

"The hardest race on earth"? Harder than the Freedom Challenge? 

cant be, must be the epic, I mean its epic and its expensive so it must be the hardest AND the toughest.

 

EDIT: you posted in this thread ... does that mean its entered your thoughts about thoughts on thinking about thoughts while deciding on your next desert dash?

[Patchelicious]

cant be, must be the epic, I mean its epic and its expensive so it must be the hardest AND the toughest.

 

EDIT: you posted in this thread ... does that mean its entered your thoughts about thoughts on thinking about thoughts while deciding on your next desert dash?

Hehe, you are relentless

 

I have a score to settle with the DD first, if that goal is achieved, maybe

[Karman de Lange]

FC and Munga, similar but so very different in my opinion

 

FC - 2300km in 26 days = +/- 88 per day

Munga - 1085km in 5 days = +/- 217 per day

 

If I had to stake my life on finishing 1 of them right now, I would rather do the FC.

 

yes, I know there are many other variables such as terrain, time and weather, but this is my top line view of the 2 events.

 

http://tourdivide.org

Another proper race (or tour if you not trying to win) ..

 

4418km and need to complete it within of 40 days to compete, current record is 27 days

 

Fully self supported, buy your own food, accommodation,mechanicals etc etc etc.

 

"Mike Hall, of Yorkshire, England, finished his Tour Divide journey in the early hours of June 24th, 2016, to beat the previous course record by over half-a-day. The new Tour Divide record is 13 days, 22 hours, and 51 minutes, more than 12 hours faster than the previous best time."

[dirtrider]

Although I have not done the Munga yet I think the Munga is more a cycle race and it will test your ability to pedal continuously for hours . On the FC you cannot cycle continuously for days in the firs few days and a lot of portage , hiking , some swimming if you get it wrong and a few other things will see you out of the saddle for long periods . Tough , difficult , insane , call it what you like , I think neither race should be attempted with the same attitude as attempting the Magalies Monster or even the Epic . 

[Stretch]

Don't forget it sometimes snows during the FC

[IH8MUD]

Deleted

[IH8MUD]

Slow day at work, so I thought a bit over these races. 

 

I  think it's no use trying to compare the Munga with the FC with the TD as to which is the hardest or the toughest.

The races differ to much  with regards to time, distance, format, how the racers approach them.

 

The Munga  and TD is over same type terrain but Munga is supported with WP and race villages, where the TD is totally unsupported. You carry and replenish all your own stuff.

 

The FC and TD is both unsupported but  the FC have hike-a-bike and single track  and no track stretches which is not really relevant in the TD (unless there is snow on the route at altitude) 

 

Only if  winners of different races, race the same race, can parallels be made, and even then, just circumstances or plain bad or good luck can influence a race

 

What I find impressive is the performance of the female athletes in these events. 

I think the distance and times  and toughness of these events is so  that mental strength plays such a big part that any physical advantage becomes obsolete for these athletes.  

 

For me it is all about the individual athletes that rise to the challenge of these events. 

The sheer grid and determination and "hard-ass-ness" of the front runners, the back markers and everywhere between.

It makes me dream big . . . . 

[kosmonooit]

It seems like a pretty hard core event, I don't think I need to do it, but respect to all those that at least try. I have driven that route a few times in the heat of summer, a few times without air con, that was hectic enough for me Its beautiful in its openness.

 

I would think its more intense than a hot day in October doing the Crater Cruise a few years ago, that was pretty hectic and a took me to the limit, and that was only a 100 k's and you had a river to cool off in. Water bottles almost became too hot to drink, what I would do is start off with two frozen ones in my backpack, and pace myself very carefully, and manage to roll in after 7 hours but still strong. It's really a headspace thing but prep and timing is important as well, and I think the Munga is that ordeal x100.

 

 

btw, there are quite a lot of bushmen rock art petroglyphs on those sun baked rocks alongside those roads in the Northern Cape

 

 

ie http://c8.alamy.com/comp/B4YCRY/bushmen-petroglyphs-kenhardt-northern-cape-south-africa-B4YCRY.jpg

 

 

 

The land where the ancient people roamed freely

[Moriarty]

The term "unsupported" seems to come up in quite a few threads these days, what would define it?

['Dale]

The term "unsupported" seems to come up in quite a few threads these days, what would define it?

Food and water only at rest stops for Munga

The rest is self-sustaining - mech, kit, etc

No support vehicle

[Moriarty]

My personal definition of "unsupported" would be the Trans-Continental one, ie. own route between checkpoints, everything else for your own responsibility.