Trail running beefs up Howick MTB Classic
With trail running's popularity continuing to increase, organisers of the Sappi Howick MTB Classic have decided to incorporate three different trail running options at the 2018 edition of the event.
THE Sappi Howick MTB Classic has added three trail running options to its schedule over the weekend of 3 and 4 March.
Having increased the event to a two-day spectacle in 2016, organisers are keen to extend it further by including a 5km, 10km and 20km trail running option on Saturday morning before the Enduro takes place later in the day.
With trails that date back to 1986, the Howick Mountain Bike Club’s network of trails through the Sappi Forests plantations lend themselves perfectly to trail running.
“It was quite an obvious choice for us to use the Howick trails for a trail run. We met with the Howick MTB Club late last year and discussed whether we would be able to incorporate a trail run in the Sappi Howick MTB Classic program,” KZN Trail Running’s Andrew Booth said.
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As the Karkloof trails are relatively nearby, Booth explained the difference between the two and why people might be drawn to the Howick trails.
“Karkloof’s trail running trails, like the MTB track, are very fast flowing and might not take as much technical ability to negotiate. Howick’s MTB track has always had the reputation of being quite gnarly and that is seen in their running trails. There are more hills and the routes are more technical with a bit of an edge to them. I find that there is more variety in the Howick trails,” Booth added.
The three different options e open to the runners will be appealing to novices as well as to more experienced runners. The 5km race will take runners through the farmland surrounding the Sappi Howick race base while the longer 10km and 20km options will head into the Sappi plantations and will be more testing for the participants.
To enter the event, go to www.roag.co.za. Visit: www.howickmountainbiking.co.za.
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