The KAP sani2c nonstop is not your average mountain bike race. Covering 250 km of uninterrupted, rugged terrain from Glencairn Farm at the foothills of Sani Pass in Underberg, to the beach at Scottburgh, this is one of the most demanding one-day endurance events on the South African calendar.
Paid partnership with KAP sani2c
This year’s nonstop takes place from 20-22 June, and has once again attracted a determined field of mountain bikers who are hungry for a challenge that demands not just physical endurance, but mental resilience and teamwork. Riders take on the bulk of the trails that make up the three-day KAP sani2c stage race route, in a single push, riding through the night, navigating trails by torchlight, and relying on support crews to refuel and re-motivate them along the way.
We spoke to veteran cyclists Kevin Benkenstein and Oliver Munnik, who will be lining up at 2 am on Saturday morning. Endurance specialist Kevin ‘Benky’ Benkenstein is no stranger to long days in the saddle, and he returns to nonstop with Matt Wilkinson as teammate.
Oliver ‘Pinner’ Munnik, a well-known mountain biker who has completed many sani2c races over the past 20 years, takes on what will be his longest ride, partnered with Cam Roach who won the amateur category at KAP sani2c just two months ago.
“It’s quite daunting. I don’t often enter something not knowing if I’ll be able to finish it, especially if we’re pushing the pace. Previously, my longest ride was about 200 km, from Matjiesfontein to Prince Albert, with 3 000 metres of climbing. So this is a big step up.”
nonstop is a completely different beast to sani2c. While there are warm meals and refreshments waiting at the sani2c race villages Mackenzie Club and Jolivet – nonstop allows for a mere pitstop, and then a push to ride through the night, past the fatigue towards the sun rise. The goal is reaching the coast before the 24-hour cutoff, testing even the strongest rider’s stamina and grit.
Pinner continues: “The major difference with a one-day race is that you don’t get the mental or physical reset that comes with a multi-day stage race. In a stage race, you finish a stage and you can switch off, recover, and refocus. With nonstop, you have to stay on top of everything mentally, physically, mechanically. You have to keep your spirits up, and you’ve got to motivate your partner when they’re down, and hope they do the same for you.”
A team effort that tests more than fitness
After finishing third in February’s Atlas Mountain Race – a 1 304 km unsupported trek across Morocco, in just over four days – you might assume that 250 km would be a breeze for Kevin Benkenstein, but as he explains, each format presents its own challenges.
“For me, a four-day, five-day or seven-day race is more my ballpark, but it’s fun to do different types of events. The format – having your support crew, and riding as a team – makes it unique. It’s not quite self-supported, but semi-supported – by someone you choose. It’s like having your own little family for the day,” he says.
Munnik has done the research and is prepped for the ride: “I’ve got lots of batteries, a big spotlight on the bike, and a headlamp. I’ve spoken to some adventure racers and nonstop veterans and they all said two things: prepare for the cold, and make sure you have a head torch. That headlamp is key, because it moves with your gaze, not just where the handlebars are pointing.”
An ultra with soul
nonstop is a small, relatively low-key, and retains a raw, old-school feeling. Riders are out in nature, with their teammates, taking on a legendary route with only the rising sun and their resolve to guide them.
“It reminds me of the early days of ultra racing – a bit more relaxed, grassroots,” says Benky. “There aren’t big bunches like in stage races. You’re often alone with your teammate or mates, and that allows you to really soak in the moment.”
And those moments can be unforgettable.
“Last year we hit the Umko Drop just as the sun rose – so we had that real hero light on the way down, and then beautiful sunshine coming through into the valley as we were going along the river. It was just the two of us – we were completely alone and that was really special.”
Still, despite the relative calm, Benky believes there’s potential for this event to become fiercely competitive. “If the right guys show up, I think it could be a sub-10-hour race. But I also love that it’s small. It has space to grow, but I hope it keeps its uniqueness.”
A mountain biker’s game
“There’s way too much singletrack for a gravel bike,” laughs Benky. “And I like that it’s got that adventurous spirit. The bike world has changed, and people want experiences now. nonstop fits perfectly into that shift.”
sani2c nonstop continues to carve out its place as one of the most challenging and rewarding endurance events on the continent. Whether you’re aiming for a sub-12-hour finish or just to beat the sunset to the beach, one thing is clear: this is a ride you won’t forget.
For more information visit: www.nonstop.sani2c.co.za
Follow KAP sani2c nonstop and watch live coverage on Instagram: sani2cnonstop
Track your riders and see results on Sportraxs: https://app.sportraxs.com/en/event/sani2c-nonstop-2025
About KAP sani2c nonstop
The first nonstop sani2c, which was held in 2007, was possibly ahead of its time. 15 years later and in response to countless requests from those who rode back then, we re-introduced the sani2c nonstop in June 2022. A 24-hour cut-off, teamed mountain bike marathon event with a difference, the sani2c nonstop is a point-to-point ride. Starting at the base of the Sani Pass and finishing on the shores of Scottburgh beach, it covers a total distance of 250 kms. www.nonstop.sani2c.co.za
Check out the highlights video of the 2024 edition of nonstop sani2c.
