parallax background
 

ATHLETE
INFO

Rwandan Epic 2023

The Rwandan Epic is back in its traditional November slot, starting on October 31st and Finishing on November 4th. With world and national champions on the list of previous winners, the Rwandan Epic promises to be as tough as it is beautiful. After each stage there is time to discover the stunning country as a tourist as well.

Every team that signs up, will be timed and ranked at the finish line. Once again though we are allowing riders not riding in teams, or even on e-bikes to enter the race, but those will not be ranked. Riders who lose a teammate along the race will also be allowed to continue solo, out of competition.

We strive to provide opportunities to as many of the East African talent as we can, and each entry to the race will sponsor 15% of an East African spot. Want to sponsor more, you can select some extra donation at checkout!*

* In case donations surpass the number of EA talent we manage to get to the in Rwandan Epic start line, 100% of funds will go to the development of the MTB sport in Rwanda. 

  • Dates: October 31 to November 4 2023
  • Stages: 5 (1 prologue style, 3 XCM style, 1 XCO style)
  • Slots: 75 teams max 
  • Categories: Female Teams, Male Teams, Mixed Teams, Out-of-Competition

Last Tickets

Register now
LUX tickets sold out, and final Standard tickets for sale now!

Adventurer

EUR1100

Includes 5 stages, 3 nights of camping, all transport and food

  • Accommodation for the nights in Kigali and Rubavu not included
  • Contact us for group discounts for groups of more than 10 riders.
Registration now

LUX

Includes 5 stages, 6 nights of LUX hotel, all transport and food (see below)

  • Contact us for group discounts for groups of more than 10 riders

Standard

EUR1600

Only 30 tickets left!

Includes 5 stages, 6 nights of hotel, all transport and food (see below)
  • Contact us for group discounts when more than 10 riders
Register Now

East African

RWF1,000,000,

Includes 5 stages, 4 nights of hotel, transport and food (see below)

Proof of residency required after purchase
  • Standard fee for all EA residents
  • Accommodation for other nights can be booked separately
Register Now

Categories:

  • Male: 2 men of 18+
  • Female: 2 women of 18+
  • Mix: 1 man, 1 woman of 18+
  • Uncompetitive: Solo riders, cannot earn prize money

Riders/Teams who DNF in any of the category in any stage, can continue in Uncompetitive category for stage results. 

Tickets sold

WHAT IS
INCLUDED?


See below for difference with LUX and EA categories

Race entry

Start each of the five stages, October 31 to November 4

Timing System

Time at finish line and intermediate checkpoints

GPS tracking

Live tracking of your position, for safety and for the fans to follow

Closed roads and signage

All stages are closed or traffic controlled, and the tracks are signposted.

Athlete bag and goodies

Athlete bag with goodies such as a race t-shirt and bottle

Hotels

6 nights of hotels (depends on category, see what's the difference below), from the night before to the night after the race (October 30th-November 4th)

Tranpsort

All transport during the event. Hotel to start, finish to hotels, and transfers if applicable.

Bag transport

Your athlete bag will be waiting for you at the finish line

Prize Money

All categories except for Open category have acces to the prize purse (top 5)

Finish award

You finish, you get an award

Medical support

Medical team at standby at all time, at several locations on the course and at the athlete village

Aid Stations

Food, drinks and mechanical support at the finish line and on the course (average 1 per 30km)

Beach Party

After the final stage, there will be an athlete dinner and party at the beach of lake Kivu

4G SIM card

You will receive a 4G capable SIM card with some credit preloaded

Support locals

Part of each entry fee will go directly to cover the costs for local East African talent to start the race

Social events

Group rides with Rwandan youth will be organized before the event, as well as some other social events.

HD pictures

Race pictures will be made available for free to all riders for non-commercial purposes

Breakfast and dinner

6 nights at full board (exception for EA discount, see below)

Post race massage

Available for a fee, but included for free for LUX

Bike wash and mechanic

Available for a fee, but included for free for LUX
parallax background

WHAT IS
THE DIFFERENCE?


Three pricing categories, with slight differences
East AfricanAdventurersStandardLUX
Available to residents of East African countries, to be paid in Rwandan FrancsAvailable for all, to be paid in EURAvailable for all, to be paid in EURAvailable for all, to be paid in EUR
4 nights of hotels (overnight stays in Kigali not included)3 nights of camping in tents provided by organization (overnight stays in Kigali and after the race not included)6 nights of hotel in basic hotels (rooms of up to 6 riders)6 nights of hotel in 3 star hotels or higher
Transport in standard coaster, excl. Kigali stage. Transport in standard coaster, excl. Kigali stage. Transport in standard coaster for all stagesTransport in priority van for all stages
Bike wash & mechanic available for a feeBike wash & mechanic available for a feeBike wash & mechanic available for a feeFree bike wash and basic mecahnics
///Airport transfer to race hotel included

Hotels for LUX category

177442388_1449029628762476_3120839865754842591_n
Kigali
tiloreza-volcanoes-ecolodge (1)
Kinigi
image-04 (1)
Rubavu

Stages

These are draft stages, and can be changed up to 3 weeks before the event

  • Stage 1 : Kigali-Kigali, 15km prologue
  • Stage 2 : Kigali - Mount Kabuye, 85km 2300m+
  • Stage 3 : Kinigi - Musanze, 73km 1600m+
  • Stage 4 : Kinigi - Kinigi , 32km 400m+ XCO
  • Stage 5 : Nyabihu - Rubavu, 62km 1400m+

 

Hotels

Different hotels for Standard and LUX categories, will be announced soon

  • 30 October: Kigali
  • 31 October: Kigali
  • 1 November: Kinigi
  • 2 November: Kinigi
  • 3 November: Kinigi
  • 4 November: Rubavu
_VDW3162

For reference: last year's course:

Rider FAQs

  • How much is the entry fee
    See page 'Athlete Info'
  • What is included in the entry fee?
    See page 'Athlete Info'
  • Do I need insurance to start the race
    Yes, you will be asked a copy of a valid health insurance at the rider registration
  • Which bike, tires, ... should I use
    This is a very diverse race, all stages offer very different terrain. We will host a Q&A with one of the past participants closer to the event, that might answer this questions.
  • What if I want to stay longer in Rwanda
    See the event info page for option to extend your stay for either tourism or training purposes.
  • What if due to COVID I cannot participate in the event.
    We understand that COVID is still a source of uncertainty to many, this is why we have included very generous COVID cancellation terms in our T&C, which you can find here https://www.rar-events.com/terms-and-conditions/
  • How can I get to the starting line?
    The race starts in the capital of the country, Kigali, which has an international airport with direct connections to Most African cities, Brussels, London, Istanbul and Dubai.
  • What type of accommodation can I expect?
    No tents at the Rwandan Epic (except for the Adventurer tickets), standard package includes basic hotel rooms, often in group rooms for up to 5 riders, LUX package has 3 star hotels with swimming pool.
  • I have fans who want to follow my race
    We will launch the prices for companion people asap
  • Where can I find the race rules?
    On the results page!
  • Can I get spare parts in Rwanda?
    Better to think "probably not", so bring derailleur hanger, pads, spokes, etc.
  • Is there WIFI at the hotels?
    We cannot guarantee the WiFi will work well, but at registration you will receive a 4G capable local SIM card, and network is good at all the locations
  • Can I get a beer after the finish line.
    Of course :)

    • Sign up now

    Limited number of tickets available. Don't hesitate and sign up now!