Trail running to enhance Eston MTB Challenge’s appeal

THE popular Illovo Eston MTB Challenge has added another string to its bow as organisers have included two trail running events to the exciting list of events on offer, with 18km and 9km the options available for runners on Sunday, 6 August.

The Eston MTB Challenge has been consistently one of the most popular one day classics in KwaZulu-Natal and for race organiser Andrew van Rensburg, trail running is an obvious inclusion as they look to cater to for the growing new market.

“It’s a natural progression to move into trail running. We have seen through the inclusion of trail running at our other events that it is increasing in popularity and we feel that it makes our events even more appealing for the whole family. All you need is a pair of takkies to run along the trails and with it being cheaper than the mountain biking races; it is a great alternative for those who aren’t riders,” van Rensburg commented.

The Illovo Eston MTB Challenge offers riders four different options ranging from a 60km marathon to a 10km fun ride, and Van Rensburg believes that trail running and mountain biking complement each other perfectly.

Through the years the Eston MTB Challenge has attracted the country’s best mountain bikers with Olympians and MTB World Championship stars taking part, and winning, the high profile event.

Rio Olympian James Reid took home the title in 2016 ahead of Brendon Davids and fellow Olympian Alan Hatherly in second and third respectively showing the race’s appeal to the cream of the mountain biking crop.

The 2017 Illovo Eston MTB Challenge provides runners and riders with a wide selection of events to take part in. From a mountain biking side there is the Illovo 60km Marathon, the 40km aQuellé Half Marathon, the STIHL Tala Family Ride and the Omnia Kids Ride.

From a trail running perspective the events offers an 18km and 9km run.

More information can be found at www.illovoestonmtb.co.za.