Nedbank Gravel Burn is putting $155,000 on the line for its 2026 race, with the prize purse divided equally between the pro women and pro men. The announcement, made on 21 October, also reveals silver medals, gold-bearing trophies and a working fire starter for the overall champions. Equal rewards, with rather more staying power than a bottle of bubbles.
Equal money, from stages to the overall standings
The prize purse includes overall and stage awards. A further $2,500 per winning rider is available through the Toyota Power Climber competition for the best climbers across the week.
The seven-day, 750km gravel race takes place entirely in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, starting in Robert Sobukwe Town / Graaff-Reinet and travelling through the Great Karoo to Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Elite and age-group riders share the purpose-built Burn Camps along the route.
Six medals, made to last
MetCon has produced just six medals for the pro podiums: gold, silver and bronze for the women, with matching awards for the men. Each is made in South Africa from 999.9 fine silver and weighs 180g. The first-place medals are gold-plated, the second-place medals are rhodium-plated and the third-place medals have red-gold plating.
MetCon puts each finished medal’s approximate value at R30,000, including manufacturing, with the valuation changing alongside the daily silver price. The production process covers design, tooling, casting, plating, polishing, quality control and packaging. Each medal comes in a handcrafted Donkey Long Tong wooden box with a MetCon nameplate, a Certificate of Analysis and a booklet about its manufacture.
A trophy that earns its place beside the fire
The overall Pro Women’s and Pro Men’s champions will receive the Fire Starter, created by Donkey Long Tong with MetCon. Each incorporates a 42g ring of 24-carat gold and black ceramic inlay following the route’s elevation profile. The handmade piece also uses titanium, brass, Karoo olienhout and ostrich leather.
These are functioning fire tools: the two champions will use their trophies to light the closing ceremony’s fire. Winners can keep the piece or cash it in at market rates, which fluctuate. Every age-group winner also receives a Fire Starter with a titanium shaft.
Donkey Long Tong is also contributing a Nedbank Gravel Burn special-edition Jack Sack, a handmade leather bag for fire and braai tools. Every rider who finishes receives a medal on a hand-woven Xhosa ribbon. Whether you are racing for the pro purse, an age-group trophy or that finish at Shamwari, there is something tangible waiting at the end of the dust.