The fourth edition of the Nedbank Desert Dash, where more than 1 000 cyclists will compete, will kick off on 7 December, 2018, at the Grove Mall in Windhoek and will end on Saturday,8 December at the Platz am Meer Shopping Mall in Swakopmund.
The Desert Dash, which is the longest mountain race in the world, covers 369km on a mainly gravel road
between Windhoek and Swakopmund, which must be completed within 24 hours.
Speaking at the launch, Nedbank Namibia Executive for Retail and Business Banking, Richard Meeks
emphasised the positive impact the event has on Namibia.
“The Desert Dash remains a very special interest for Nedbank Namibia, and it is not only because of
our cycling pedigree that stretches back more than thirty years. Instead, we see the Nedbank Desert Dash for what it truly is, a significant contributor to Namibia, not only in terms of the sport of cycling. This event also contributes to our economy through tourism industries, and helps bring awareness to Namibia’s environmental and conversational efforts,” Meeks stated.
A record number of just over 1 000 people from 14 countries will participate in this year’s Desert Dash.
Just over 620 of the Dashers being Namibians, with South Africans just about half that number, totaling 311 participants. Germany accounts for 44 riders, with British cyclists the next largest contingent, with 10 entrants. This year’s race will also see participants coming to Namibia from as far as Austria, Canada, the USA, Luxembourg and France.
The event continues to set high standards in terms of participants entering, with this year’s oldest participant being 80-year-old Bill Jooste.
