Racing Heats Up at Taroko Trail Park – 19 September 2026
A fresh morning greeted the Warrior family at Taroko Trail Park for Warrior Race #2. The sun teased competitors with the promise of warmer rays later in the day, but for now the wind was cool, the trails were still wet underfoot and the stage was set for another exciting day of obstacle course racing.
With the Black-Ops Elite athletes off the line, Brandon Hulley wasted no time taking control. Unbeaten in his last five Warrior Race races, Hulley’s international racing experience was evident from the start as he led the field out into the surrounding trails.
Black-Ops Elite Race
The wet conditions made the running sections slippery and technical, but Hulley remained composed. Through Potholes and onto Steel Pipe Shimmy, he made the obstacles look effortless, executing each one cleanly and extending his advantage over the chasing pack. Behind him, Mxolisi Zondi held firmly onto second, while Syanda Gwamanda, Hlelani Radebe and Louis Smit battled for position. At Mud Monster, the thick mud did its best to slow the leaders down. Hulley kept his body low and worked his way through efficiently, while Zondi fought for firmer ground underfoot as the mud sucked at every step.
There would be no catching Hulley. He crossed the line in 54:31, securing yet another Warrior victory. Zondi followed in 56:19, with Gwamanda completing the podium in 59:18.
The queen of Warrior Race strikes again in the Black-Ops Elite women’s race, Sabrina Daolio showed exactly why she remains such a force in South African obstacle racing. Returning from a successful international season, Daolio attacked the course from the start. Her strength was particularly evident through the long carries, including Canister Carry, where she continued to dominate. By the time she reached Mamba, Daolio was racing among the leading elite men. She took the plunge, powered through the water and up the net, even overtaking Radebe on her way through.
Daolio finished in an impressive 1:00:12, placing among the leading athletes overall and winning the women’s race by more than 11 minutes. Nerine Tecklenburg claimed second in 1:11:15, with Cindy Wills third in 1:14:12. Once again, Hulley and Daolio stood on the top step of the Black-Ops Elite podium.
Commando Elite Race
The Commando Elite women’s race came alive with some exciting and closely fought racing over the fast, free-flowing 8km course. Chizelle Benson took the victory in 58:15, with Shay-Lee Hulley hot on her heels, crossing the line just 41 seconds later in 58:56. Elizabeth Buys completed the podium in 1:04:29.
Marnu Vermaak, who had trained specifically for the event, delivered a strong performance to take the men’s title in 45:53. Kyle Fisher followed in 47:59, while only seven seconds separated him from third-placed Daniel Siller in 48:06. With more younger athletes progressing from the 5km Rookie category into Commando, the category is quickly becoming one of the most competitive at Warrior Race. At just two kilometres shorter than Black Ops, Commando provides an exciting step up for developing athletes and a clear pathway towards taking on the ultimate Warrior challenge.
Another Day to Remember
Warriors in the mud pit at Mud MonsterThe new Taroko Trail Park venue delivered everything expected from a Warrior Race: beautiful trails, tricky conditions, technical obstacles and plenty of mud. More importantly, it brought the Warrior family back together. From elite athletes chasing podiums to competitors simply taking on the course for the fun of it, the day was filled with determination, camaraderie and that unmistakable Warrior gees. Couples, friends and families tackled the obstacles together, proving that Warrior Race is as much about the shared experience as it is about competition. The new, more compact race format added to the atmosphere, bringing more of the action closer to the race village and allowing spectators to follow the racing and cheer from the sidelines. With supporters never far away and plenty of encouragement around the course, the result was an energetic race-day experience for competitors and spectators alike.
Relive the action and head over to our Instagram page and watch the Warrior Race #2 highlights, from the mud and obstacles to the moments that made race day unforgettable. With Warrior Race #2 done, the mud will wash off and tired muscles will recover, but the racing is far from over. The question now is: who will challenge Warrior Race #3 Cradle at Syringa park on 28 November 2026?