This wasn’t part of some long, polished business plan.
The Cape Cobra started the way the best IDEAS do.
- with a half-joking phone call, a “what if?” and two guys who couldn’t let a good vibe die.
After two unforgettable years steering the ship at Puffer, Ryan Bekker (race director) and Jesse from Zlaant (the guys behind the rebrand, live broadcast, medals, marketing, apparel and epic finish line recovery parties) knew they were onto something.
Together with a killer committee crew, they built a race for the runners and quickly grew it to 500 entries — a community event where you got your money’s worth, made memories and stayed for an extra beer at the end.
When Ryan and his committee had to step down, the event returned to its original club. But let’s just say... they had been bitten, the spirit lived on and the cobra seed had been planted.
RYAN BEKKER RDG
(Race Director General)
DR. JESSE B ROBERTS CMO
(Chief Mischief Officer)
Fast forward a few months — Jesse and Zlaant had helped out at a few more trail events… learning the ropes. Ryan heard the news that the beloved 21km Pufhie had been cancelled and that was it. One phone call later, we weren’t joking anymore. If no one else was going to throw a proper trail party — we would.
From there, things started happening quickly. Names were thrown around. Nothing felt right. And then it hit us: The Cape Cobra.
What else could it have been? Quick, bold, deadly cool. Just like we wanted the event to be.
3 weeks ago the stars aligned and SANParks permits were approved (thanks to years of building good vibes with the right people). The next day, Ashraf (Better known as Mr. O) bumped into Jesse on the street — a casual, “We should totally host our own event,” moment — and boom. Game on.
ASHRAF ORRIE OGTC
(Original Gangster of Trail Connections)
DR. SEAN GOMES CVO
(Chief Vibe Officer)
Things moved fast from there. Midnight calls. Chaotic WhatsApps. Burning the midnight oil to get the permits, the brand, the ideas — everything — ready to go.
We aren’t here to copy anyone. We aren’t trying to be the next "traditional" race. Those events are respected legends — and they must stay legends.
The Cobra is different. It’s wild.
It’s rebellious. It’s rock and roll.
It's prize money for the podiums. It's surprises for the pack. It’s the biggest smiles you’ve seen at a finish line in a long, long time. And we’re only just getting started.