Brass Mouthpiece: The polished brass mouthpiece is where the winners’ lips blow air through the Fire Starter. It is the starting point of its function, the place where human breath becomes the spark of ignition.
Ostrich Leather Hanging Strap: A strap of genuine ostrich leather makes the trophy ready to hang, linking it to the Karoo’ s wildlife and heritage. It transforms the Fire Starter into a permanent fixture in the home of a champion.
The Golden Ring: For the overall men’ s and women’ s champions, the Fire Starter carries a structural ring forged from 42 grams of fournines-level pure 24-carat gold. The ring is inlaid with black ceramic, which traces the altitude profile of the race each 10km. The number 42, long tied to the search for life’ s greatest answers, makes it a fitting symbol of victory.
The Replica Brass Ring: Presented in its own box, a brass replica with the same ceramic inlay can be interchanged with the gold version. This allows the gold ring to be safely stored while the Fire Starter remains whole and on display.
Olienhout Handle: The handle is carved from olienhout, the wild olive tree of the Karoo. Known for its density and longevity, it carries the toughness of the land. Its surface is treated with the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban method, creating a charred texture that embodies fire, resilience and survival.
Titanium Pipe: Running through the heart of the Fire Starter is a titanium shaft. Known for its strength and resistance, it represents the endurance of the riders who conquer the 800km journey.
THE PODIUM MEDALS
Designed by South African artist Natanya van Niekerk and produced by MetCon, the professional categories’ podium medals embody resilience, transformation and the fire that defines endurance racing. They are works of art, reflecting MetCon’ s core ethos of local value-creation. Every step of their creation, from certified analysis of the metals to provenance tracking ensures that each medal is as authentic as the achievement it honours.
Each medal has its own unique metal composition. The process is intricate and deliberate, involving artists, refiners and finishers who together shape symbols of victory that are worthy of a lifetime.
Traditionally, podium prizes have been gold, silver and bronze. MetCon has taken that heritage and elevated it. The first-place medal is plated in pure 24-carat gold. The second-place medal is finished in rhodium, a precious metal rarer than platinum. The third-place medal is plated in red gold, chosen for its durability and striking beauty.
Together they carry real weight, presence and meaning. These are medals built to endure, crafted with uncompromising quality, and designed to be treasured for generations.
Brass Nozzle: The nozzle directs the airflow. With adjustable settings, it allows control over the strength of air released to ignite the fire. Precision and permanence are combined, completing the Fire Starter as both symbol and tool.
The Fire Starter Case: Every trophy is housed in a custom olienhout case, turning the presentation into a ritual. It is not just a container but a continuation of the Karoo story, carrying the spirit of the landscape into the home of each winner.