#1 CRADLE, Syringa Park @ Avianto Estate – 14 March 2026
As the sun slowly rose over the rolling landscape of Syringa Park, the quiet of the morning was quickly replaced by the buzz of something big about to unfold. Athletes tightened shoelaces, spectators gathered along the barriers, and music began echoing across the battlefield. One by one, warriors streamed into race village, to test their strength, endurance, and determination
It was race day.
THE BATTLE UNFOLDS
Adrenaline was running high as the Black Ops Elite athletes lined up at the start line, ready for an intense battle across the obstacle-filled course. As the starting gun fired, the elites surged forward at full speed toward the opening obstacles. They moved swiftly through the Leopard Crawl, making the challenging obstacle look effortless.
Shortly after conquering the Steel Pipe Shimmy, Brandon Hulley pushed into the lead, with Hlelani Radebe close behind and the rest of the elite field chasing hard.
In the Black Ops Elite Women’s race, Sabrina Daolio set the pace early, attacking obstacles with determination. As competitors reached the Steel Pipe Shimmy, the women rang the bells one by one before pushing forward toward the next challenge.
In the Commando Elite category, Siphesihle Hlongwane moved into the lead at the Tarzan obstacle, while Brandon continued to dominate the Black Ops Elite men’s race.The finish line brought a moment of drama as Brandon crossed first in the Black Ops Elite Men’s race, narrowly securing victory after nearly missing his timing chip scan! A moment that almost caused a catastrophe for the Warrior results team.
Sabrina battled through injuries to claim victory in the Black Ops Elite Women’s race, showing incredible resilience and determination. In the Commando Elite Women’s race, Chizelle Benson delivered a strong performance to take the win.
“I was initially skeptical when I heard the course would be shorter and ‘easier’, but the balance was fantastic. It turned out to be one of the best Warrior races — the obstacles were excellent and the team did an incredible job. Even after a rough landing from the balance beam, I was still really enjoying the race.” – Sabrina Daolio
FORGED BY THE COURSE
Under the guidance of new Race Director Wian Steyn, this year’s event introduced a revised and more compact course format. The design reduced long running stretches and placed greater emphasis on obstacles, creating a more technical and engaging race experience.
The updated format allows participants to progress more clearly between the different race categories, making the event more accessible while still maintaining the challenging spirit Warrior Race is known for.
For elite competitors, the change also introduced new strategic considerations. With less trail running, athletes had to rely more heavily on obstacle efficiency, strength, and technical skill.
THE WARRIOR SPIRIT
The shorter course layout created an incredible atmosphere both for competitors and spectators. The view from Mamba and the Wall of China participants could see large sections of the course unfolding around them.
“I was initially unsure about the changes to the format, but the balance of the course worked really well. In the past the races could sometimes reach a breaking point in terms of difficulty, so the adjustments made it more achievable while still keeping the challenge. The technical carries added a great element to the course. I’d maybe like to see the distance slightly longer in the future to create a bigger gap between Commando and Black Ops, but overall I really enjoyed the race and it was great to see more athletes stepping up into the Black Ops category.” – Cindy Wills.
FUELLED BY MUSIC!
Water points became mini celebration zones, with music pumping and volunteers cheering competitors on. While waiting for obstacles, athletes could be seen dancing, singing, and encouraging each other. Exactly the kind of Warrior Race gees participants have come to love.
One of the standout obstacles of the day was the newly updated Mamba, which featured additional tunnel sections. Sliding through the dark tunnels added an extra edge of excitement and fear, giving competitors an adrenaline-filled experience that many athletes said was one of the highlights of the course.
“Having raced obstacle events around the world for more than a decade, I was genuinely impressed by the Warrior Race team and the way they hosted the first event of the 2026 season. From pre-race communication to course quality and marshals, the event was organised and executed on a level comparable to some of the best international races. The new format — shorter distances with more technical obstacles — is a great move for the brand and aligns well with international championship racing. I really enjoyed the race and I’m excited to see this format shine during the 2026 season.” – Thomas van Tonder.
This is why we race
True to the spirit of Warrior Race, the course was filled with moments of teamwork and camaraderie. Strangers helped strangers over obstacles, offered encouragement on difficult sections, and often crossed the finish line as new friends.
The event attracted a diverse group of participants, from young first-time racers to experienced veterans, and notably saw an increase in female competitors this year which is a promising sign for the continued growth of obstacle racing.
Back in the race village, the energy remained high throughout the day. Large screens displayed finishing times as competitors gathered with friends and family to celebrate their achievements.
Finishers were rewarded with a unique medal featuring a strap where athletes could write down their finishing time. A personal keepsake to remember their Warrior Race victory.As the final warriors crossed the finish line and the race village slowly quieted down, one thing was certain, the Warrior spirit lives on. The next battle awaits on 19 September at Taroko Trail Park, where warriors will once again come together to test their limits and write the next chapter of the Warrior Race story.
Join our next battle at Modderfontein on 19 September at Taroko trail Park
Check out our event highlight video.