Do you have enough GRIT to conquer the Munga USA 24-hour Race?
The Munga Grit USA is a 24-hour mixed terrain race that is being held in Traverse City, Michigan on the weekend of September 9-10, 2023. The race is organized by the same team that organizes the Munga, a 1,000-kilometer mountain bike race that is held in South Africa, arguably the toughest race on earth
Introducing the highly compelling South African Munga format to the States, starting with the first 24 hour race in Traverse City, Michigan on September 9-10. The craziest, life altering experience you can have on a bike.
Over the course of the Munga’s history, two things have become apparent. One, plenty of riders are motivated and intrigued by our unique race format and want to give it a ‘try’, but the distance is mentally challenging compared to most other mountain bike races.
Two. Following the success of the South African races, and given that almost 50% of fans are U.S. based, they have launched the smaller format race in the U.S. with the goal of slowly building up to the 50 hour and eventually the full Munga.
The inaugural The Munga Grit Traverse City has been carefully designed to be a split of 60% paved and 40% gravel with around 5,000 feet of climbing. The distance is approximately 170 miles, and combines remote gravel roads with some iconic paved cycling trails!
The course begins and ends in the funky town of Traverse City, Michigan. Incredibly, Munga have secured permission to follow the iconic Leelanau, Sleeping Bear and Betsie Valley trails, so the route will head out in a counter-clockwise direction following the Leelanau Trail out north towards Sutton’s Bay.
Photo: The iconic 17 mile Leelanau Trail from Traverse City to Sutton’s Bay is the first section of the breath-taking course.
Then it will pick up the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail towards Frankfort.
Photo: The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail will take riders west and south down to Empire, the second section of the course
From Frankfort the course picks up the Betsie Valley trail, towards Thompsonville.
Photo: The stunning Betsie Trail near Crystal Lake
From Thompsonville, the route will follow dirt roads south into the Manistee river valley before heading up north towards Lake Anne and eventually back to Traverse City. The route will be a GPS only, so no navigation will be required.
The map below is to give you a general idea as to where the route goes. Don’t take it literally, it is likely to change a bit here or there.
The Grit Traverse City race will be non-technical and move through some spectacular scenic areas! A perfect introduction to Munga’s life changing brand!
The Munga Grit USA is a challenging race that is designed to test the grit and determination of the riders. Riders can expect approximately 170 miles with around 5,000 feet of climbing and a split of 60% paved and 40% dirt road.
Riders will only have 24 hours to complete the course!
One of the most authentic and life-changing aspects of the full Munga, are the water-points (WPS). This is a core component of The Munga experience that will be carried over to The Munga Grit 24hr. Thus riders can expect three water points manned by friendly locals! The WPS will be roughly 25 to 55 miles apart.
Light, Fast and Free
What if you could rock up on a Saturday morning, park your car, jump on your bike and head out along remote trails and tracks as far as the sun sets. With nothing on your back except your shirt?
Light, free, fast means you can go super light, feel exceptionally free, and ride as you want… all in the predictable race feel of the tried and tested Munga format!
Wake Up Late, Roll On Down
The Grit 24hr format has been designed to be convenient, so in keeping with Munga tradition, the race will start at 12pm on Saturday afternoon. This means you can wake up on Saturday morning, have breakfast, pack your bike and race kit, and roll over for a 12pm start with your car parked safely waiting for you.
Then you can head out on a 24 hour adventure through the day and night, over 150 miles of spectacular but quiet scenery, then roll back over the line before 12pm on Sunday!
What’s Included?
The Munga Grit USA is a great way to challenge yourself, meet other cyclists, and experience the beauty of the Michigan lake Country. Included in your entry fee is:
– 3 x fully stocked Munga Grit 24hr water-points manned by friendly locals where you can expect ground coffee, lots of wholesome food, race nutrition, and just plain love. Ask anyone who has done the Munga what our water-points are like!
– Access to the Leelanau Trail, Sleeping Bear Heritage trail, Betsie River valley trail and miles of quiet dirt roads.
– A famous hand-made Munga Grit 24hr finishers medal
– Legend status forever
– Some medical support
– The chance to earn your first stripe and start your Munga journey!
– A Munga Grit 24hr goody bag
Register Now
Entries are limited to just 200 riders, so register now to secure a place!
Entry costs just $180 USD.
For more information, please visit the Munga Grit USA website or click the button below to register now.
Munga GRIT USA 24-hour Race Photo Gallery
