Nedbank Desert Dash entries now open.
Entries for the 2025 Nedbank Desert Dash, which is set to take place from 5 to 6 December from Windhoek to Swakopmund, have officially opened with the solo riders’ category opening last Monday.The two-person team category entries will open next Monday, followed by the most anticipated four-person team category, set to open on 16 June.
Entries for all three categories will close on 30 September.
This year, the Nedbank Desert Dash route remains unchanged, covering the same 401-kilometre course as last year through the world’s oldest desert – the Namib Desert.
The gruelling race navigates the breathtaking and challenging landscapes of the Namib Desert.
The 24-hour race will start on 5 December at the Grove Mall in Windhoek and conclude in Swakopmund at the Platz Am Meer Mall on 6 December.
Over 1 200 mountain bike cyclists are expected to participate.
All new race developments will be announced at the official launch, which is slated for later this year.
Last year’s solo men’s runner-up, Drikus Coetzee, says that his previous participations in the Nedbank Desert Dash have all been fantastic experiences, and he is excited for this year’s competition:
“The race keeps progressing very well and each year we see that they introduce new developments. Last year, they introduced a new route that I feel elevated the race.”
Four-time Nedbank Desert Dash participant Anri Greef says she is excited to participate as a solo rider this year:
“I did my first solo in 2024 and my plan was simply to finish, which has allowed me to use what I learnt then to improve for this year. I hope to improve my performance from last year.”
Nedbank spokesperson Selma Kaulinge said:
“Nedbank Desert Dash continues to excel each year. We have witnessed the rise in popularity of the sport and this race in particular, as it offers profound personal and emotional rewards. Completing the race is a testament to one’s resilience, determination and adventurous spirit.
"We continue to echo that the Nedbank Desert Dash isn’t just a race - it truly is a testament to the human spirit. Every year, we witness incredible feats of hard work, sweat, resilience, camaraderie and tears of personal triumph. We encourage cyclists, whether seasoned veterans or aspiring adventurers, to secure their spot early and prepare for an unforgettable experience.”
She added that Nedbank’s enduring commitment to the race underscores its dedication to empowering local, regional and international sporting excellence, emphasising that the shared camaraderie among participants fosters lifelong bonds, uniting passionate cyclists from around the world in pursuit of a common goal.
“As money experts who do good, we have been the proud title sponsor of this awe-inspiring event, fostering a legacy of support that has seen the event grow into a beacon of athletic achievement and community spirit. Our continuous backing embodies our belief in pushing boundaries and achieving ambitious goals, values that resonate deeply with every participant of the Nedbank Desert Dash.”
Kaulinge further paid tribute to LEMA Events, organisers of the race, for their dedication and passion in putting together an event of this magnitude, whose proceeds support various local charities that have significantly impacted the lives of those in need.
The Nedbank Desert Dash is proudly sponsored by Nedbank Namibia as the title sponsor, with Indongo Toyota, Hollard, Paratus and SuperSpar Maerua and The Grove as headline sponsors.
Event partners include Coca-Cola, Mannie’s Bike Mecca, Ciovita, Heineken, Platz Am Meer, Walvis Bay Salt, Radio Wave, Slow Town Coffee Roasters, NamedSport Superfood, Innovations Clearspan Tents, Rudy Project, Grovemall, Langer Heinrich Uranium, Welwitschia Hospital and Bennerman Resources as co-sponsors.
The Nedbank Desert Dash is a Namibia Cycling Federation-sanctioned event.
To enter the 2025 Nedbank Desert Dash, visit desertdashnamibia.com.
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