When we think of ultra distance racing, it's normally one bike, one trail, one rider, but in this instance it's just so much more. This family story of pulling together during shared suffering and shared overcoming has just become so inspiring, and in a setting deep in South African culture. In the story we hear today, we chat to Tim van Coller. He is 74-year-old previous Freedom Challenge finisher. He's got two blankets. His last trip on the trail was 12 years ago. But now you'll hear, Tim is no ordinary old man. He is certainly made of the tough stuff, and he rode Race Across South Africa with his son Brett of 52 years, and his grandson Zach of 22 years. Theirs is a story about legacy, connection, courage, trust, belief. I mean, all the good stuff. Commitment, family values, and never giving up. Together they did what few of us thought was possible, and we are fortunate enough to hear from all three of them today and hear how so many special moments came together.

Their finish line video

Highlights from RASA day 4 featuring the van Coller trio.

Enter RASA 2027 and event info

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 Hello Freedom Family

These past 15 days feel like an absolute binge on life. Watching Race Across South Africa unfold, has been deeply human, it's been raw, and it's been impossible to look away from. Thank you for joining us in following those dots and listening and tuning in to the Freedom Trail Podcast as we've been cheering on and inspired by the massive efforts put in by the men and women tackling the inaugural race across South Africa.

I'm Julia Fisher and my husband Chris, and I host events and tours on the Freedom Trail, and together let's celebrate South Africa. On a trail like this, which connects 2000 kilometers from east to west, it carries stories in its dust, stories of grit, of believing and of not giving up.

Riders featured in this episode:

• Vincent French - cap 7
• Mark Fitzjohn - cap 28
• Quinton Rutherford - cap 37
• Gavin Robinson - cap 42
• Brett van Coller - cap 44
• Tim van Coller - cap 45
• Zach van Coller - cap 49

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 Hello, freedom Family,

It is the second last day of the inaugural Race Across South Africa, day 14.

The Fourth Lady and the fifth lady came in today side by side, Becky Sands and Charlene May as well as Miguel. The three of them finished together having written the last section together. It ended up being an emotional moment for Becky when you're pushing so hard and that relief and joy to get to the finish line. Well done. It really looks like Sherlene was really grateful and happy to have been able to ride with Becky and they look to have formed a beautiful friendship from the journey.

Riders featured in this episode:

• Miguel Tiexeria - cap 35
• Cherlene May - cap 25
• Rebecca Sands - cap 3
• Shaun Slabber - cap 6
• Zach van Coller - cap 49
• Tim van Coller - cap 45

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 Hello, freedom Family

Welcome to the Freedom Trail Podcast, with all the news from day 13 of race across South Africa. We had 11 finishes receiving their bokkies at Dimersfontein Wine Farm today.

Ingrid Avidon came in second place at half past eight this morning, finishing in 12 days and 30 minutes. She left McGregor at 10:30 last night and rode through the night to get here this morning.

"Yeah, it was as expected. Very, very hard. Yeah, but lovely, like awesome times. Sometimes were not awesome. And then other times was like awesome. But generally it's just awesome." Ingrid Avidon

Riders featured in this episode:

• Ingrid Avidon - cap 36
• James Parkin - cap 39
• Ollie Greaves - cap 11
• Merak Greaves - cap 10
• Olebogeng Kgengwe - cap 31
• Arrie Rautenbach - cap 19
• Rob Selley - cap 33
• Giles Clinton - cap 8
• Greg Fisher - cap 29
• Mike Woolnough - cap 16

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 Hello, Freedom Famil

Today, day 12 of Race Across South Africa. We've had an incredible 14 riders reach the finish line, 23 still muscling it out there, and eight DNFs and unfortunately 1 DNS.

Guy Miles often rides to the start of an event and his plan was to ride to the start of rasa, ride it, and then ride home. He lives in Wartburg and with his loaded bike on the final descent into the race village, to the start line, guy lost control and fell off his bike. Unfortunately, he broke his hand, so was never able to start. . He had surgery a few days later, and I hope your recovery goes as well as it can guy, and hopefully we'll see you on the start line next year.

Finishing today was our first lady, Sarah van Heerden, coming in an incredible 13th position in the field.

"That route is absolutely amazing. I'm so thrilled I got to do it because I have to be honest, I would never do the Freedom Challenge in winter. I can't handle that cold. The route is exceptional. I mean, I don't even like people, but the people we met and the hospitality and it was unbelievable. I mean, people running out from Airbnbs to tell us to come and stay with them. No, it's so awesome." Sarah van Heerden

Riders featured in this episode:

• Sarah van Heerden - cap 4
• Peter Maritz - cap 22

DONTE HERE to the SPCA in support of Sarah's incredible ride!

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 Hello, freedom Family.

On day 11 of Race Across South Africa, a 2000 kilometer journey riding east to west across the southern tip of Africa. What a privilege and let's dive right into the special moments.

On the finish line today in ninth position, came in Riaan Meintjes. Riaan knows the Freedom Trail well and has done each of the four segments as well as the full Freedom Challenge, and let's hear what he's got to say.

"Oh, it was amazing. Such a beautiful week. I really enjoyed it. It's an absolute adventure. The people you meet are just incredible and some wildlife experiences along the way. It's just an absolutely stunning route. I think I prefer RASA, but Freedom Challenge has more magic to it, you know, this is more of a proper race and Freedom Challenge to me is more of a journey." Riaan Meintjes

Riders featured in this episode:

• Riaan Meintjes - cap 24
• Martin Zettle - cap 38
• Clinton Halsey - cap 21
• Guy Jennings - cap 9
• Ingrid Avidon - cap 36

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Hello Freedom family,

Thank you for tuning in for another episode of the Freedom Trail podcast, where we hear firsthand from the riders on day 10 of Race Across South Africa.

Before we dive into the rider experiences out there, Mike Woolnough shares what it's like to ride mid-pack on Race Across South Africa.

"We've seen some of the top guys come in and it looks like they've just written around the block. Some of them look like they have just written around the dam and come back and they look as fresh as daisies. But I mean, these guys are gladiators. You know, what's it like for Joe average? Joe average being the guys and girls who are riding Race Across South Africa and finishing outside of the top 10." Mike Woolnough 

Riders featured in this episode:

• Mike Woolnough - cap 16
• Kobus van Niekerk - cap 32
• Rudi Bassi - cap 30
• Nicolas Stathoulis - cap 23
• Duncan Luke van Niekerk - cap 40
• Willie di Plessis - cap 1
• Giles Clinton - cap 8
• Becky Sands - cap 3
• Shaun Slabber - cap 6

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 Hello, Freedom Family.

Today, on day nine of Race Across South Africa, was the race for second place. Pierre Lambert made his move at check point 2. He arrived at check point 2 with the group and left before the rest of them, with Nick and Duncan ahead of him. He worked hard to stay ahead. Then last night while sleeping at Montagu. Zane overtook him in the early morning. Zane then put in a hard effort to create a gap and Zane de Decker finished in second place in eight days and seven hours.

 Pierre was hot in his wheels coming in one and a half hours later in third position.

Riders featured in this episode:

• Zane de Decker - cap 26
• Pierre Lambert - cap 13
• Oliver Greaves - cap 11

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Hello, freedom Family

What a day it was for the Freedom Trail today. Drikus Coetzee took line honours in the inaugural Race Across South Africa, devouring the course in seven days, 12 hours and three minutes. He arrived at the finish line, humble and still in good shape, and shares with us some stories from the trail.

"It's something special. I think lots of international guys can come and do this route and come and see a really great part of South Africa. I saw, um, absolutely stunning, stunning, stunning places of South Africa" race winner, Drikus Coetzee.

Riders featured in this episode:

• Drikus Coetzee - cap 43
• Ingrid Avidon - cap 36
• Shaun Slabber - cap 6

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 Hello, freedom family.

Happy Sunday to you all. Just to think on day seven while we were making our morning coffee, maybe around seven o'clock in the morning. These guys and girls had already been at it for three or four hours, five hours, maybe even. And now as we take our tea to bed tonight and cuddle up in our nice, warm, cozy beds, they are still out there.

Some of their days are just exceptional and it's quite incredible to think how your body can adapt to trail life. Many of these riders will come in at the end of a long day and be absolutely staggered by what they are capable of. 

Riders featured in this episode:

• Olebongeng Kgengwe - cap 31
• Arrie Rautenbach - cap 19
• Ingrid Avidon - cap 36
• Shaun Slabber - cap 6
• Tim van Coler - cap 45
• Brett van Coller - cap 44
• Zach van Coller - cap 49

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