Anele Bans and Dominique D’Oliveira set the course ablaze in the IMPI Elite Race that took place at the Wiesenhof Wildlife Park (Stellenbosch) on Sunday, 19 November 2017.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was the second time that I competed in the IMPI Challenge,\u201d said a very happy Bans.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve taken part in a few obstacle course races, but was only able to enter the IMPI Challenge for the first time in April this year when I moved from Kimberley to Tableview (Cape Town).\u00a0 I finished 11th<\/sup> at that event.\u201d<\/p>\n Finishing 1st<\/sup> at the IMPI Elite Race after only his second attempt is an impressive achievement for Bans.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a competitive guy.\u00a0 If it wasn\u2019t for the strong competition in the Elite Men\u2019s race I would not have finished under 2 hours.\u00a0 The competition definitely added to the fun.\u00a0 Crossing the finish line in first place was an amazing experience.\u00a0 I\u2019d definitely recommend the IMPI Challenge to my friends.\u00a0 The obstacles are challenging, but doable.\u00a0 It\u2019s a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Bans completed the IMPI Elite Race\u2019s 26 obstacles<\/strong> that were spread over a 17km fun trail run route<\/strong> in 01 hour 59 minutes 42 seconds.<\/p>\n Hot on Bans\u2019 heels was professional Muay Thai fighter, Kickboxer, stuntman and personal trainer, Ashley Robinson, who made his elite race debut on the day.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was my first ever elite race,\u201d admits Robinson.\u00a0 \u201cAnele was in front up until the 12th obstacle before I overtook him.\u00a0 I struggled a bit with one of the obstacles where you needed to swing from side to side, my grip wasn\u2019t that strong.\u00a0 Anele took the lead again and kept it until the end.\u00a0 He gave me a few really good tips on how to face every obstacle and how to strengthen my grip. \u00a0It felt amazing to finish in second place.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The obstacles definitely tested my overall abilities and have given me a lot of new workout ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n Robinson crossed the finish line in 02 hours 01 minute 30 seconds.\u00a0 Conrad Herbst rounded off the Elite Men\u2019s podium in 02 hours 06 minutes 53 seconds.<\/p>\n The only female competitor to successfully complete all 26 obstacles, Dominique D’Oliveira claimed gold in the women\u2019s elite race.\u00a0 Her finishing time of 02 hours 24 minutes 10 seconds also secured her an impressive overall 6th<\/sup> place on the day.<\/p>\n According to D’Oliveira the IMPI Elite Race was great.\u00a0 \u201cIMPI is known for its beautiful scenery.\u00a0 The Elite Race featured a nice balance between easy and challenging obstacles.\u00a0\u00a0 There were definitely more challenging obstacles compared to previous events making it tougher than usual.\u00a0 This plays in my favour.\u00a0 I think the entrants realised that they would need to train harder next time round.\u00a0 I really enjoyed the race.\u00a0 It was a hard run with challenging obstacles.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFinishing 6th<\/sup> overall, with only five male competitors ahead of me is really good for the ego, but the IMPI Challenge isn\u2019t about that,\u201d continues D’Oliveira.\u00a0 \u201cIMPI is not only about the elites.\u00a0 We all train hard and have our own individual goals.\u00a0 Whether competing individually or as part of a team, the end goal should always be to have fun irrespective of where you place.\u00a0 IMPI is definitely on the cards for 2018.\u201d<\/p>\n There are five categories<\/strong> to choose from when entering the IMPI Challenge<\/u>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n