Moulstons defy the odds at Sarona Desert Race
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:17
A burnt computer box, gearbox problems and a catalogue of mechanical setbacks had left the South African wondering whether it was worth taking the start. However by Sunday afternoon, he alongside navigator and wife Nasheen Moulston had turned despair into delight, steering their Molco Racing machine to Class 2 honours and second place overall. 'There was a lot of demotivation. I almost walked out,' Moulston admitted. 'I burned the computer box, I had gearbox issues and all those things before the race. The willpower was running out.'
He said it was the support of his family that kept the team in the race.
'The support of the family is what kept us together and that's what made it happen.'
Once the green flag dropped, the Moulstons quickly found their rhythm. They stunned the field by opening up a three-minute lead overall after the first lap before mechanical gremlins struck again.
'Our first lap was very, very good. We were leading overall by three minutes. We dropped because of some issues, but we picked up again,' Moulston said.
The recovery proved enough to secure victory in Class 2 and a runner-up finish overall, an outcome Moulston admitted surpassed his expectations.
'Better than what I expected,' he said.
The three-day race, which returned to Gaborone for the first time in years, also earned high praise from the experienced South African.
'It reminded me of the old days,' he reminisced. 'It's a marathon event over three days. Every morning we woke up trying to make sure we got to the finish, and we did.'
Moulston described the event as 'world class', applauding the route marking, challenging terrain and Botswana's unrivalled spectator support.
'The marking was beautiful, the terrain was lovely. There is nothing I can complain about,' he said. 'The spectators were amazing, as usual. Botswana has the biggest spectators anywhere in the world. We have never had spectators like this anywhere else.'
Although organisers have ambitions to grow the event further, Moulston believes the current three-day format already delivers the ultimate endurance test.