Le Dur. French for "The Tough One." And it earns that name on every single kilometre.

The Grit Le Dur is the one of the longest MTB race in Namibia — a single-stage, non-stop endurance race through some of the most breathtaking and unforgiving terrain Southern Africa has to offer. In 2026 we head north, rolling out of Outjo into the wild heart of Namibia's north-west, carving a 500km loop through wide open gravel roads south-west of Etosha National Park.

No stage breaks. No shortcuts. Just you, your bike, and Namibia.

In proud partnership with Legacy of Love — because every kilometre means something.

RACE INFORMATION: 

• RACE DATE: 8-10 May 2026
• Registration: Compulsory on 7 May from 15:00 - 18:00 at Ombinda Country Lodge
• Entries: Available online only at https://themunga.com/munga-grit-le-dur/
• Entry Limits: 200 for 50 hour riders
• Entry Costs: 

50 hour:  R 6750
24 hour: R 3600
100 Miler: R1250

PAYMENT: 

• Options: Card via the online portal or EFT (if in Namibia, Directly into Legacy Of Love Bank account) Follow payment instructions carefully.
• Deadline: Pay within two weeks, or the entry will lapse.

CONFIRMATION:

• Entry confirmation will be emailed after payment.
• Race number confirmation will be sent a week before race day via email/sms.

RACE CHARITIES:

Legacy of Love

REGISTRATION

• Compulsory on 7 May from 15:00 - 18:00 
• Ombinda Country Lodge, Outjo
• Medical form for the 50 hours is required at registration or to be sent to [email protected]

ROUTE & TIMING:

• Start Time: 50 hour & 24 Hour at 07:15 at Ombinda, 100 Miler 9:00 from waterpoint 1 of the 50 hours 
• Route Maps: GPX and route file will be published and sent one week before the race
• Cut-off Times: 50 hour cutoff is 10 May at 9:15, 24 hour cutoff is 9 May at 7:15

POST RACE:

Medals are handed out as the riders finish

Prize Giving will be held at Ombinda Country Lodge at 10:00, Sunday, 10 May 2026

MORE INFORMATION:

Race rules can be found on The Munga Website

Rider Preparation document to be sent upon entry

  Race Preparation document 

 Race Rules 

Follow the race on social media for regular updates:

• Facebook: @TheMunga
• Instagram: @MungaMTB 

WHAT IS THE GRIT?

THE CRAZIEST, LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCE YOU CAN HAVE ON A BIKE

HALF THE DISTANCE – LESS THAN HALF THE TIME (of the Munga)

Over the course of the Munga’s history, it has become apparent that plenty of riders are motivated and intrigued by our unique race format and want to give it a ‘try’, but the distance is mentally challenging compared to most other South African mountain bike races.
Thus the idea of The Grit was born.
To offer a cross over or bridge if you will, to the main Munga event.

Gear up to ride the Munga Grit Le Dur, a single-stage mountain race through magnificent Namibia! You have just 50 hours to complete the course of around 500km. For those not quite ready to tame the Munga beast in 50 hours, there is a 24-hour option as well as team options. Ebikes are also welcome, although Ts&Cs apply.

THE BASICS: 50 HOURS

The Grit’s vary from race to race but you can expect roughly half the distance of the Munga MTB, some a bit more, some a bit less. But riders will only have 50 hours to complete the course

One of the most authentic and life changing aspects of the Munga, are our water points and race villages. So this core component of the Munga experience will be carried over to Grit. Thus riders can expect one or two race villages and four water points manned by those beloved farmers! The WPs will be roughly 70 to 100km apart, with the two RVs roughly 200 to 250km apart.

THE BASICS: 24 HOURS

The 24 hour option give Grit entries a chance to experience the format but in a smaller version. This race will start at the same time as the 50 hour Grit, but will follow a smaller course of roughly 230km to 280km, with three water-points but no race villages. WPs will be similar distances apart as the 50 hour version, and may share some of them. 

THE BASICS: 100 MILER

We are proud to introduce a 100-Miler Series into the  Grit events category. We would like to invite all gravel and mountain bikers to come and race in The Munga 100-Miler Series. The 100-miler race will start on Saturday morning at 09:00 during the Grit Racing weekend!

A 100-mile bike race is a journey of both mental and physical endurance — blending early confidence, a mid-race struggle, and a final push to the finish. Riders often start strong, sometimes in groups, but soon face challenges such as fatigue, cramps, and weather conditions, relying on self-discipline and smart fueling to complete the distance. Ultimately, a successful race is not just about crossing the finish line, but finishing tired yet happy, already looking forward to the next challenge — perhaps The Grit, or even The Munga 1 148 km Ultra-Endurance Race.

CANCELLATION / SUBSTITUTION:

Organising such an event has many challenges and can’t be left to the last minute. The refund policy schedule is based on certain suppliers, service providers, and volunteers that have been paid leading up to the preparation of the event weeks and months to the race. If your refund, deferral or substitution is requested after the last cut-off as stated below, we have already prepared and paid for you to attend the event. It’s not a matter of ‘carrying-over’ the entry (your money) to the following year – it’s spent already. Which would mean we are paying you to either not attend this year or ride for free next year – which is not fair, hence warning you upfront. This includes medical reasons as well.

CANCELLATION PROCESS:

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to The Munga at:  [email protected] and [email protected]. The date of receipt will determine the applicable terms.

PLEASE REFER THE OFFICIAL MUNGA RULES FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION.

CANCELLATION MORE THAN 8 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT:

If a rider cancels more than 8 weeks before the event start date, the rider may be eligible for a credit of up to 75% toward a future official Munga event, the exact amount retained will be reasonable and based on costs already incurred. Credits are valid for 12 months and subject to event availability and a rider can only defer an entry once in 12 months.

CANCELLATION BETWEEN 4 AND 8 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT:

If a rider cancels between 4 and 8 weeks before the event start date, the rider may be eligible for a partial credit of up to 50% toward a future official Munga event, the exact amount retained will be reasonable and based on costs already incurred and the likelihood of filling the rider’s place (Rider to arrange a substitute rider for their entry). Credits are valid for 12 months and subject to event availability and a rider can only defer an entry once in 12 months.

CANCELLATION WITHIN 4 WEEKS OF THE EVENT:

If a rider cancels within 4 weeks of the event, the rider may be charged a cancellation fee, which may be up to 100% of the entry fee. However, if the rider’s place is successfully filled (Rider to arrange a substitute rider for their entry), a partial credit may be considered

 RIDER SUBSTITUTIONS:

• A rider can substitute their entry with another rider as per the Time Frames stated above.
• Rider substitutions will only be allowed once, as each entry has one ‘life’. In other words, a rider may substitute / transfer his entry only once.
• Substitutions may be requested up to 3 weeks before the event start date. Note that no custom apparel etc would be available for the substituted rider.
• Approval will not be unreasonably withheld.
• The substitute rider must complete all entry requirements on the online portal and pay the necessary administration fees.
• An administration fee will apply, based on actual processing costs (typically 25% to 50%).
• No Apparel or Customized items will be included in entry or goodie bags if request for substitution is made within 8 weeks of the event start date. 
• Take note that no rider substitutions will be allowed 21 days before the race start date.

TRANSFERS AND CREDITS:

Entry fees are not transferable to another rider outside of the approved substitution process. Approved credits may be used for any official Munga event, subject to availability and within the Time Frames above (within 12 months).

DISCRETION AND FAIRNESS:

The Munga reserves the right to make decisions in exceptional circumstances.
All decisions will be made in line with the principles of fairness, reasonableness, and applicable law, including the Consumer Protection Act.