Announced on 9 October 2026, the 2027 Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen, has lifted its elite prize purse for the 21st edition of the race on 16 January 2027. The winners of the women’s and men’s races are set to receive $6,000 each.
The 120km race, known as the Hell of the South, now lists total prize money of $18,400. According to Bicycling South Africa, organisers Dryland Event Management have split the 2027 purse equally between the elite women’s and men’s categories, with payouts reaching down to fifth place.
For women racing marathon mountain bike, that equal split is the story with teeth. The top step carries the same dollar figure, on the same course, at one of South Africa’s best-known endurance MTB events.
Equal money, paid to fifth
The listed elite payout is $6,000 for first, $1,800 for second, $900 for third, $200 for fourth and $100 for fifth in both categories. The Queen and King of the Mountain prizes will also be paid in US dollars, with $200 going to the first woman and man to reach the summit of the Attakwaskloof climb, 55km into the race.
Bicycling reports that the increased prize money follows extended partnerships with title sponsor Momentum Medical Scheme and presenting sponsor Biogen. The organisers hope the bigger purse will draw more international professionals to South Africa, and have stated an ambition to grow Attakwas towards becoming the richest one-day marathon in the world.
A bigger draw for the elite field
The route remains a proper brute: 120km with 2,900m of climbing, running between Chandelier Game Lodge outside Oudtshoorn and Pine Creek Resort in Great Brak River via the remote Attakwaskloof. Hayley Preen is the defending women’s champion, while Annika Langvad’s women’s course record of 5:25:55 has stood since 2017.
The Hell of the South route
Riders who want the Attakwas weekend without taking on the full 120km can choose shorter options too, with a 47km Half and a 32km Mini listed. But at the sharp end, the message is clear: the 2027 Attakwas is putting equal-dollar money on the line for the women’s race.