PIETERMARITZBURG, 2 June 2017 – Arguably South Africa’s top men’s trail athlete, Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team SA), has won the extreme Faial Coast to Coast 47km Ultra Trail Race, which took place on Faial Island in Azores, an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic, on Saturday, the 27th May, fighting the worst weather conditions imaginable. Portugal’s Faial Coast to Coast Ultra Trail traverses some 47km, with a cumulative elevation gain of 2385 metres, from the village of Ribeirinha, near Boca da Ribeira Port on the east coast at 0m altitude, to Capelinhos on the west coast, at 2385m altitude.                               

The Azores Trail Run takes place in Faial Natural Park, considered a European Destiny of Excellence (EDEN) by the European Commission. The race takes runners on a journey through the history of the geology of the island following the formation of the island, from east to west passing landmarks and geological features, showcasing the volcanic nature of the Azores islands. A large part of the trail takes place in the largest and most remarkable "Graben" of the archipelago, a large section of land that collapsed between two tectonic faults. The trail ends at the biggest volcano on the island, the dormant Capelinhos Volcano. Greyling, who only took the lead only in the last 6km of the race, crossed the finish line in first place in a time of 03:54:07. Second place went to island local, Dário Moitoso, in a time of 04:02:36, and third place to Nuno Silva, in a time of 04:04:00. 

Says Greyling on his outstanding race, “This race was significant as it marked my first race as a full-time athlete. It was amazing to run on this land mass caused by the 1957 Volcanic action in the Azores. It looked like Mars, while the rest of the course was lush green. “We started off in a group of about 5 athletes leading and holding a comfortable pace on the volcanic line of Faial. At about 9km, local trail champion, Dário Moitoso, made a break and I responded. I kept contact with him until 17km where I stopped at the waterpoint.

“The race organiser had warned us about the intense winds and rain, but I underestimated the extent - the wind was so extreme it could blow you off your feet! I saw some runners on hands and knees crawling the 1km of trail on the Caldera’s edge (crater edge). In extreme conditions and poor visibility, I lost sight of Dário Moitoso. I gave it everything on the muddy downhills to try to catch up with him, and it took me another 17km before I saw him again on the last climb.

I sprinted past him, missing the last waterpoint knowing another stop would lose me the race. I managed to open an 8min gap on him in the last 7km and finished the 42km in 3h54.07, certainly one of my best trail marathons, especially in these conditions and altitude.”Landie Greyling, Christiaan’s wife, and a renowned Trail Champion, won the female overall category, an hour ahead of second placed runner, Raquel Andrade.  

RESULTS -  FAIAL COAST TO COAST 47KM

Men

1. Christiaan Greyling     03:54:07

2. Dário Moitoso            04:02:36

3. Nuno Silva                 04:04:00

 Women

1. Landie Greyling           04:21:56

2. Raquel Andrade          05:21:59

3. Maria Goulão              05:24:12 

###Greyling Second In Vertical Km Skyrunning World Series Race In Azores, Portugal

Vertical KM racing is common in Europe, It’s an ascent 1000m vertical run in the shortest distance possible. Christiaan Greyling (Jeep Team), took part in the Vertical KM Race in Azores Portugal during his recent race meet on the weekend, 27 and 28 May 2017.The Azores Vertical KM takes the runner up the side of a Volcano - a mere 3.5km up - one of the steepest ascents on the Skyrunning World series calendar.

The Azores VK took place on the island of Pico. The landscape features an eponymous volcano called Ponta do Pico, which is the highest mountain in Portugal, the Azores, and the highest elevation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.Say Greyling on his race, “We were transported by ferry to the other island and then by bus to the start of the race.

The weather was extreme! To explain the conditions does not do justice to what we experienced, but at least 2 people almost lost their lives due to hypothermia. No matter how fast, how confident you are, mother nature is not your friend. Due to the extreme weather, the route was changed to a 700m ascent.“I did not know how to race a VK, and because we started 30 seconds apart, I had little idea of the competition pace. The general rule is go as hard as you can, and if in doubt, go up! I have never experienced wind and rain to this extent. I completed the 700m ascent in 33 minutes and was surprised and very happy to see I was only 1 minute behind winner, Tsubasa Fuji (Superstar Fuji), to place second overall.

### EDITORS NOTES

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Photo Credit: Filipe Goncalves 

Written and distributed on behalf of Jeep Team SA by Hot Salsa MediaContact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information, interviews and photos.   

DRAKENSBERG, KWAZULU-NATAL, 3 MAY 2017 – Saturday, the 29th April, saw Jeep Team trail runner, Christiaan Greyling, run the tough 62km Giant’s Cup Uncut Race at Ultra Trail Drakensberg, and win it by more than 50 minutes.   Giant’s Cup Uncut (GCU) is hefty 62km non-stop traverse of the entire Giant’s Cup Hiking Trail, a certified 5-Day hike, with 2400m of vertical climb and occupies an altitude window between 1600m and 2150m. The race started at the Sani Pass Hotel and finished at the Bushman’s Nek Hotel and is entirely on mountain trail, providing runners with a uniquely pure trail running experience. Greyling crossed the finish line in first place in a time of 06:41:39. Second place went to Ben Brimble in a time of 07:32:10, and finishing in third place was Landie Greyling, in a time of 07:50:19. 

Says Christiaan Greyling, “In every Ultra, you reach a point where you want to give up, or at least question yourself why you are doing this. These thoughts come regardless of your speed, preparation or talent. My race went arguably well, but again I learned how easy things can go pear-shaped in an Ultra. I ran the 62km GCU in a time of 6:41, followed by Ben Brimble in a time of 7:32. We ran together for the first 25km, but the technical downhill around halfway suited my skill and I got away from the quicker Ben Brimble. The lesson? Hydration and nutrition is the most important items on race day. My first mistake was to drink less because of the colder weather. I only suffered the consequences of this after 30km, but by then it was difficult to rectify.

The section from 33km to 46km had no river crossings, huge climbs and a baking morning sun. When I reached the Swiman hut (46km mark), I had to consume about 10 cups of fluid not to suffer from dehydration. Drinking water alone can further dehydrate your body as we lose both water and important minerals when we sweat. To counter negative thoughts, think positive thoughts of previous successes, future races, bible verses, or even a song or two.” 

Race Results – 62km Ultra

– Giant’s Cup Uncut MEN

Christiaan Greyling        6:41:39

Ben Brimble                  7:32:10

Ross Michaux               8:36:16 

WOMEN

Landie Greyling               7:50:19

Andrea Devine                10:34:14

Mmamapudi Kubjane       11:24:58 

OTHER JEEP TEAM NEWS OBSTACLE COURSE RACINGLESOTHO LUNGS NEEDED FOR THE ‘AIR UP THERE’ OBSTACLE RACE Over the past weekend, 29 and 30 April, Jeep Team OCR Athletes, Thomas van Tonder, Carina Marx, and Jay Jay Deysel travelled to Afriski in Lesotho to take on the Air Up There Obstacle Race.  Battle-Rush and AfriSki joined forces to bring OCR athletes the highest obstacle race in Africa. Taking place in the Maluti Mountains at an altitude of 3222m, the weekend races put the athletes’ legs, skills and lungs to the ultimate test in minus freezing weather. For Jeep Team’s Thomas van Tonder and Carina Marx, the two days of racing began on the Saturday with the individual 15km Obstacle Race. The race featured some 20 obstacles, 900m of elevation gain, and the crossing of freezing dams.  Thomas ‘BeastMode’ van Tonder, crossed the finish line in 3rd place, after missing an obstacle, and receiving a time-consuming penalty of 30 burpees. The race was eventually won by Bradley Claase, with second place going to Armin Botha. Rounding up the top 5 elite men were Claude Eksteen in 4th and Greg Avierinos in 5th place. 

Says van Tonder, “What a race. What a venue. The altitude sure does make a huge difference. It was a super hard race with 900m of elevation gain, and the water was so cold – it was like an intra-race ice bath! Well done to Brad on the win. He had a very strong run. I came in in 3rd place; I missed the spear throw and had a 30-burpee penalty. My Jeep Team SA teammate, Carina Marx, also took 3rd place, even after taking a big detour on the run. Well done to the Marx-Machine!” Jeep Team’s Carina Marx, finished 3rd overall in the women’s 15km race.

First place went to Trish Bahlmann. Crossing the line in 2nd was Catherine Robson, with Sam Gilchrist in 4th place, and finishing off the top 5 was Nikki Caromba. On Sunday, 30 April, the racing continued with a 1km Hill Obstacle Sprint in the morning, followed by the Team Obstacle Race in the afternoon. Jeep Team OCR SA, Thomas van Tonder, Carina Marx and Jay Jay Deysel, took on the Team race. The trio finished in third place behind race-winners Team AOT SupaMama (Durban), and second-placed Team KeyHealth Nevarest.  Results – 15km Obstacle Race (NO RACE TIMES AVAILABLE)Men Bradley Claase Armin Botha Thomas van Tonder Women Trish Bahlmann Catherine Robson Carina Marx    

Results – Team Obstacle Race Team AOT SupaMama Team KeyHealth Nevarest Jeep Team SA  INTERNATIONAL MULTISPORT Jeep Team’s Triathlon star, Mikaela Jonsson, has recently been selected to represent South Africa at the ITU Multisport World Championships Festival 2017 in Penticton, Canada.    Jonsson, who is studying and racing in the USA on a sports scholarship, will represent South Africa in the u23 Elite Women’s category as part of the South African Cross-Triathlon Team. The ITU Multisport World Championships Festival, taking place from the 18th to 27th August 2017, will see athletes from all over the world vying for four different multisport titles, including Duathlon, Long-distance Triathlon, Aquathlon, and Cross Triathlon. 

JEEP TEAM SURFSKIHansa Surfski Challenge After a brief break in the surfski season, paddlers returned to the Durban surf on 01 May for the start of the Bay Union Surfski Series. Jeep Team paddler, Barry Lewin, claimed a 5th place finish at his opening race of the season, the Hansa Surfski Challenge. Lewin completed the two-lap, 12km race in a time of 0:52:14.22. 

###  EDITORS NOTES 

Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:  

#JeepTeamSAWebsite:   www.jeepteam.co.za

Facebook:                     www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa

Twitter:                         @jeepteamsa Instagram:            

JeepTeamSA For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Jeep Team South Africa is set on becoming the most successful all-round Sports Team in the country with a group of top athletes, all at the top of their game, across different sporting disciplines.   Since inception in 2001, over 300 of the country’s top athletes have been through Jeep Team’s Athlete House, building their performances and their personal brands, with many going on to compete successfully overseas.   

The newest addition to the team is Christiaan Greyling, South Africa’s Trail Running Champion. Christiaan, husband toLandie Greyling, SA's top female trail runner and arguably one of the best in the world,is a qualified Industrial Engineer (Hons)employed as the Supply Chain Manager at Chill Beverages.   Greyling is no newcomer to the trail podium and is alsoa strongmulti-discipline contender. He recently won the demanding LEDLensor 265km Wartrail Challenge, a 60km mountain run, 120 km MTB, and a 65km paddle, in a time of 21:15:26, some 22 minutes ahead of 2nd placed Leo Sorenson (21:37:30), and 3rd placed JacoLaurens (22:00:00). All in a day’s work for Greyling.   With Jeep Team at the helm, Greylinghas been given the opportunity to take on the biggest Ultra Trail Runs in South Africaandinternationally this year.

The Mont Blanc 80km in June, the 50km Dodo Trail in Mauritius in July, and the 45km Ultra Trail Pyrenees in Spain in September are just a handful of his 2017 international ambitions.   Locally, Christiaan and his wife, Landie Greyling, on the 25th of November 2017, are taking on the first-ever Lesotho Ultra Trail race, a 50km Ultra Sky-Marathon in an attempt at traversing the Lesotho Mountains.   The raceis run at its highest altitude at 3000m to 3155m, with two massiveclimbs (many smaller ones too), the first being 12km into the race at 1139m+, and the second at 40km at 727m+.  

Greyling’s sporting career highlights include winning the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100km race amongst a very strong field of local and international athletes; winning the 20th Skyrun 100km, and coming second in the tough 8-day stage race in the European Alps (teamed with his wife, Landie Greyling).   Greyling’ssporting achievements in the past few years include the 2017 - 1stOpen Male – LED Lenser Wartrail Challenge; in 2016, the 1stMale in the100km Sky-Run, and 3rdin the SA Long Distance Trail Champs, and 13thMale in the80km Marathon du Mont-Blanc, France. In 2015, he was1stOpen Male in theUltra-Trail Cape Town 100km; the2nd Mixed Team in the Transalpine Run (an 8-day stage race, Europe), and in 2014, he was the 1stSolo Male and Record Holder in the Table Mountain Challenge.  

Say Christiaan Greyling,“I am truly excited to announce that I am part of Team Jeep to further exploit my career as professional trail runner. My focus has been on trial running since 2012, but prior to this I participated in Adventure Racing for several years. I believe great opportunities are created when positive people meet.   Team Jeep has successfully assisted many SA sport stars to achieve their dreams since 2001. I am positive that together with Salomon, Garmin and Jeep Team, we will build the ‘Christiaan Greyling’ brand to all benefit in both the Outdoor and Corporate space. My 2017 goal iswinning an International ultra-marathon.”  

Says Max Cluer, owner/manager of the Jeep Team South Africa, "We are stoked to have Christiaan representing the Jeep brand and are excited to work with him in building his profile and his brand through the team. His professionalism and success on the trail running side certainly brings a new dynamic to the team with a trail running focused athlete and we hope to use his knowledge and experience to help us find new trail running talent for the team.”  

EDITORS NOTES
Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:   #JeepTeamSA Website:                www.jeepteam.co.za Facebook:             www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa Twitter:                  @jeepteamsa Instagram:             JeepTeamSA   For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..