South African ultra-endurance and marathon mountain biker and SPOT athlete, Timothy Hammond, will officially be crowned the first South African Epic Legend, when he completes the New Zealand Pioneer Mtb race later this month.

“The reality that I could soon be South Africa’s first Epic Legend hasn’t really sunk in for me yet,” explains Timothy. “I lined up for the start of the FNB Wines2Whales at Lourensford last week for the first time since the ABSA Cape Epic used to finish there many years ago. Back then there was a small race on the last day of Epic called Vigne a Vigne. It was before I started racing seriously and can recall very clearly waiting for the leaders of the Epic to come in after our small race around Lourensford had finished. I remember being in complete awe of them and wondering if I would ever be capable, or get the chance to finish a Cape Epic one day. I stood there on the start of day 1 of W2W last week with 3 Cape Epics under the belt and on the verge of becoming the first South African to complete the series. I really had to calm myself down. Being able to ride the best trails in Switzerland, New Zealand and South Africa is a real blessing, too stoked!”

Founder and CEO of the Epic Series, Kevin Vermaak says he feels very proud that Timothy will be the first South African to take this title. ““With the Epic Series, we’ve created a global community of like-minded athletes who want to challenge themselves and their teammates on the world’s most iconic mountain biking terrain. Any rider who has conquered the Swiss Alps, New Zealand’s backcountry wilderness or the untamed African Absa Cape Epic has passed the ultimate test of any mountain biker,” says Kevin. “To complete all three Epic Legend Races deserves the utmost respect of the mountain biking community and of course the coveted Epic Legend medal. It’s always a proud moment for me when a South African achieves something great. We are holding thumbs for Tim as he aims to complete the final leg at The Pioneer this month.”

Becoming an Epic Legend was not a title Timothy ever thought he would be able to add to his belt, mainly because he didn’t think it would be financially possible for him to complete all three events. “When I met Sean McCormick from SPOT Africa a few years ago, it didn’t occur to me that his Botswana based company would very soon become a leader in satellite based tracking; that would eventually become integral to the Epic series,” says Timothy. “I am very proud to have been part of SPOT’s growth in the sport and will forever be grateful for the opportunities they have given me to race around the world.”

Despite injuries and falls during 2018 Timothy has still achieved great results, setting a new course record with his cycling partner, Ben Melt Swanepoel, at Trans Baviaans, of 7hrs52min. “I learnt a great deal this year from Ben Melt and Arno du Toit about the true value that you have whilst racing with a team mate,” says Timothy. “The dynamics in team events are way more important than I ever realised. You are capable of achieving so much more when you and your partner look after each other sacrificially.”

Timothy has big plans for 2019, where he and his racing partner, Alan Gordon, will be backed up a fully supported racing crew thanks to SPOT Africa and Insect Science, a biological pest control company from South Africa, to take on their goal races of Attakwas, Tankwa Trek, ABSA Cape Epic, JoBerg2c, Swiss Epic and Cape Pioneer Trek.

To follow Timothy’s journey on twitter @timothy_hammond or through the SPOT Africa social media pages –
Website - Africa.FindMeSpot.com
Facebook - @SPOTinAfrica
Instagram - @spotafrica

SPOT southern Africa will be sponsoring the tracking of the Elite Runners at the 2018 Otter African Trail Run. The elite field, including Christiaan Greyling, Marc Lauenstein, Kane Reilly and Meghan Mackenzie, will carry a small, lightweight, SPOT Gen3® satellite tracking and safety device to allow followers to track the race through the rough and out-of-cellular-range route. All runners will have the opportunity to hire a device through OtterShop : http://otter.run/product-category/tracking/ prior to the race so loved ones at home may follow their progress as well as have emergency response at the tip of their fingers should the need arise.

This year the Otter African Trail run marks the Grand Final for the 2018 Golden Series and takes place from 17 - 20 October 2018 starting in Nature’s Valley and finishing at Storm’s River Mouth. With 42 kilometres distance and 2600 meters of elevation gain, this race forces even the strongest of runners to walk and with a TrailFactor of 2.0, the Otter can take twice as long as the equivalent distance on road. Rugged, rough, off-the-grid and being beyond cellular range makes this the perfect environment to use SPOT’s satellite-based technology. As the race status was previously limited to checkpoints, SPOT devices will now enable followers to track the race at 5 minute intervals, increasing supporter experience and providing insight about the location of participants for emergency response should it be needed.

Belen Sanchez, Event Director for The Otter African Trail Run commented, “SPOT is the benchmark when it comes to race management due to its satellite based tracking in remote areas. It is a cutting edge tool for organisers to monitor the exact progress of their participants as well as track the whereabouts of their resources in terms of logistics, media and safety personal and vehicles. SPOT exponentially increases the speed and effectiveness of emergency response while significantly reducing the amount of personal required to provide a responsible level of safety and emergency support for a remote event. Being reliant on satellite coverage, not cellular, means it is nearly 100% reliable and opens up a broad range of remote areas that can be effectively managed from an event perspective. SPOT also enables the public to follow a remote event through regular coverage. This dramatically increases the level of interest that can be generated bringing sports that previously were hard to follow or understand to global audiences. This exponentially increases the value of the event property.”
SPOT is no stranger to the trail running vertical; recently having tracked Ryan Sandes and SPOT Ambassador Ryno Griesel’s adventure to traverse and beat the Fastest Known Time for The Great Himalaya Trail. Other trail ambassadors and regular contenders in the Otter African Trail Run include Rory Scheffer, Naomi Brand and Marzelle van de Merwe. Rory Scheffer, a top 10 finisher in the 2016 and 2017 races, commented. “Having SPOT on board as the tracking partner for the event is amazing! Now our supporters get to follow us along the whole route and follow the race closely. Due to the remoteness of the race and lack of access, supporters never got a chance to see the race unfold. Now they get to be a part of the action."

“We are proud to provide support to the Otter African Trail Run this year especially as it forms the Grand Final for the Golden Series. The beautiful remote and rugged terrain of the Otter Trail is the perfect playing ground for our devices which use satellite technology, which is not reliant on cellular coverage, to transmit tracking and emergency messaging to followers. Supporter’s viewing experience and runner’s safety will increase considerably,” commented Deborah Fourie, Marketing Manager of Globalstar Satellite Africa.

About Globalstar, Inc.
Globalstar is a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Customers around the world in industries such as government, emergency management, marine, logging, oil & gas and outdoor recreation rely on Globalstar to conduct business smarter and faster, maintain peace of mind and access emergency personnel. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset and personal tracking, data monitoring, SCADA and IoT applications. The Company's products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, the innovative Sat-Fi satellite hotspot, Simplex and Duplex satellite data modems, tracking devices and flexible service packages.

Note that all SPOT products described in this press release are the products of SPOT LLC, which is not affiliated in any manner with Spot Image of Toulouse, France or Spot Image Corporation of Chantilly, Virginia.