Riders ready for MTB event

PARTICIPANTS of this year’s Illovo Eston MTB Challenge are in for yet another dose of fast, free flowing action as the event’s course designers look to include a few fresh additions to last year’s hugely popular routes ahead of another memorable day of mountain biking adventure on Sunday, 2 August.

“Known as ‘one of South Africa’s most prestigious one day events’, this year we hope that a significantly increased prize money pool – up by 56 per cent from 2014 and, most notably, equal men’s and women’s purses – and some small yet very positive tweaks to the routes will once again provide riders with a fantastic day out!” said event director Ant Foster.

With four distances to choose from, everyone – regardless of age, experience or ability – is able to be a part of the day’s activities.

Organisers are preparing for the day’s feature event, the 60km Illovo Eston Marathon, to attract many of the province’s, and even the country’s, top elite competitors with over 600 participants expected to line this race’s trails on the day while a further 800 riders are anticipated to tackle the 40km aQuellé Eston Half Marathon.

The iconic 18km Tala Family Ride through the heart of Tala Game Reserve is once again set to draw a capacity field of over 1200 entrants while the 10km Omnia Kids Ride is likely to see over 200 of tomorrow’s stars enjoy their slice of the action.

The 60km route now includes even more great single track through Insingizi Game Lodge, with another 2km of expertly cut track adding to the already famous trails which riders have come to enjoy. The 40km has enjoyed a couple minor changes and will continue to be a ‘live’ route until race day depending on what the weather gods serve up.

The popular, refreshed routes will be further complemented by top class, fully stocked and plentiful water tables, medics should something go wrong, local farmers to lend a helping hand or spanner, marshals at all road crossings and great route markings throughout.