LOOP Safari Gravel Series draws 467 cyclists to Hell's Gate

The 3rd edition of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series, hosted at Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha, witnessed an impressive turnout of over 467 elite and recreational cyclists from various nationalities across Africa, Europe, and the USA. Participants braved the challenging terrain, demonstrating their endurance and skill amidst the breathtaking landscapes that Kenya has to offer.

In the demanding 120-kilometer elite race, Hans Becking from the Netherlands clinched the top spot, clocking a remarkable time of 3:12:59, while Lukas Baum from Germany and Chad Haga from the USA secured the second and third positions with impressive performances of 3:17:02 and 3:28:54, respectively. In the women's category, Maddy Nutt from the United Kingdom emerged as the winner, while Xaverine Nirere from Rwanda and Amity Rockwell from the USA finished in the second and third positions, respectively.

In the 60-kilometer race, Duncan Ruto emerged as the winner, demonstrating remarkable talent and tenacity by finishing with a time of 2:23:01. He was followed closely by Swarbi and Geoffrey Kariuki, who clocked 2:25:00 and 2:25:02, respectively.

The 20-kilometer race had entries comprising recreational cyclists and junior participants.

The top winners in the elite 120 kilometers for both men and women were awarded a cash prize of KES 20,000, while the victorious teams received KES 125,000, KES 100,000, and KES 70,000 for the first, second, and third positions, respectively.

Speaking at the event, LOOP Digital Financial Services CEO Eric Muriuki expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled by the passion for gravel cycling demonstrated by participants from different nationalities. As LOOP, we remain committed to supporting endeavors that promote athleticism and showcase the incredible landscapes our country is blessed with. Through this event, we aim to provide a platform for cyclists from Kenya and East Africa to develop and grow their skills and compete globally. Additionally, we are seeing our customers adopt healthy living, and this is a good platform to celebrate their determination for a healthy lifestyle.”

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In addition to the thrilling races, LOOP DFS underscored its commitment to sustainability by facilitating the planting of over 250 trees during the event, further contributing to environmental conservation efforts.

"We believe that our commitment to environmental conservation is integral to the sustainability of our operations. Through tree planting, we hope to mitigate the impact of climate change, enhance biodiversity, and support sustainable development for the next generation. Ultimately, our dedication to these initiatives reflects our broader goal of fostering a healthier, greener planet," Muriuki added.

With the series now moving towards its grand finale, anticipation is high for more thrilling moments and fierce competition in the final leg on August 25th at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County.

The series is organized by LOOP Digital Financial Services (LOOP DFS) and Team Amani to promote cycling as a healthy lifestyle sport and position Kenya as a gravel cycling destination. The race is also earmarked as a UCI Gravel World Series and International Cycling Federation qualifying event, where participants earn points or rankings to qualify for the Gravel World Series.

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