July 23, 2025
Every race tells a story. And when you’ve done enough of them, you start to recognise the ones that stick.
King Price Race to the Sea isn’t just another race to tick off on your calendar. It’s the kind of race you talk about long after the dust settles. A journey carved through effort, lifted by exhilaration, and framed by the wild beauty of the Western Cape.
This is Race to the Sea, by the numbers.
157 Kilometres Between You and the Finish Line
157 kilometres with 2391 m elevation from the heart of Franschhoek to the finish line in Hermanus. This is a journey. Long enough to carry you through the highs, that rush of endorphins when everything clicks. But, also long enough to drag you through the tougher moments. The kind where determination matters more than speed, and getting to the finish takes more than strong legs. The distance falls somewhere between challenge and endurance. Not only is it physically demanding, but it’s also mentally challenging. There will be quiet stretches where it’s just you, the sound of your tyres, and the promise of the finish.
It starts fast. Energy high, legs fresh, the excitement of the pass ahead. But as the hours go by, things shift. You settle into the rhythm, focus on the next waterpoint, notice which snacks are working. Your legs go heavy, then come back to life. Over this distance, you learn how to manage your effort, listen to your body, recognise where your limits are, and what it takes to move past them.
Along the way, the route delivers. Mountain views, open valleys, canola fields in bloom, and long stretches that feel made for gravel. While the beauty doesn’t soften the effort, it sure does give it meaning.
1 Legendary Mountain Pass
Your adventure begins with a climb: Franschhoek Pass.
It’s dramatic. Demanding. Undeniably iconic. This 7 kilometre ascent is the biggest single climb of the day at 736 m, and it sets the tone for what’s to come. It’s steep in places, steady in others, and always breathtaking, both for the views and the effort. Riders who reach the top roll into a long descent that opens up into the kind of terrain the Overberg is known for. Fast, open, unpredictable. It’s not the last climb of the day, but it’s the one that reminds you you’re in for a ride.
7 Waterpoints to Keep You Rolling
We know what it takes to get to the finish line. That’s why you’ll find seven fully stocked waterpoints along the route, each manned by local legends who’ll keep you hydrated, fed, and fired up.
Expect cold refreshments, salty snacks, bursts of energy, and enough banter to keep the wheels turning. You’ll arrive tired and leave recharged.
3 Bananas (Per Rider, On Average)
A humble fruit with heroic powers. Whether it’s breakfast at the start, a mid-race morale boost, or the emergency snack you thank later, bananas are a rider’s best friend. While the exact number may vary, three seems to be the magic number. It’s just enough to keep the cramps at bay and the day on track.
70% Gravel, 100% Adventure
This is a gravel race at heart, but the surface tells a more textured story. With roughly 70% of the route on gravel and 30% on tar, the terrain constantly evolves beneath your tyres. Expect everything from rolling farm roads and rocky jeep tracks to smooth tarmac stretches that offer brief moments of speed and recovery. It’s a route that keeps you thinking. Fast in places, loose in others, and always unforgettable.
07:41:46 – The Average Finish Time
It’s not a sprint, it’s a journey through changing landscapes, shifting weather, and different surfaces. But after this slow and steady race, on average, riders spend just under eight hours making their way to the finish.
For some, it’s fast and focused. For others, it’s a slow and steady race. Either way, this is a massive achievement.
Thousands of Moments, Captured Forever
Every stretch of this race is worthy of a camera lens. Whether it’s your phone or the work of our photographers on route. You’ll come away with more than memories. You’ll come away with proof of what you conquered, of how far you went and why this race matters.
This is a journey. A challenge. A celebration of gravel, endurance, and the human spirit. It’s the chance to ride across one of the most beautiful regions in the country, powered by passion, surrounded by fellow adventurers, and carried by the simple joy of forward motion.
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