Vryheid KZN: Riders take on the Michaelis MTB race

The Covid-19 pandemic made it impossible for most organisations and churches to have their annual fund-raising events, and this was no different for the Michaelis congregation. The Michaelis Bazaar is highly regarded every year among locals, when you can buy and indulge in all those traditional and delectable German goodies. This year, the bazaar will be a first of its kind, being in the form of a virtual bazaar. And as part of the fund-raising event, the congregation had an MTB Challenge which took place on Saturday (September 12). Locals and riders from surrounding towns participated in the challenge, which was described by one local rider as a difficult route. The weather was perfect and the route was clearly marked out, with lots of uphill climbs and cattle trails to challenge even the most experienced riders. Young and old took part in the race and some of the riders had to dig deep within themselves to make it to the finish line, since the last part of the route had another little uphill climb to contend with. The results are as follows: Females (23km): 1st – Annemarie De Swardt (1:21.09) 2nd – Mandie du Plessis (1:28.48) 3rd – Christeen van der Berg (1:31.29) Males (23km): 1st – Wiekus van der Berg (1:10.20) 2nd – Logan Potgieter (1:17.33) 3rd – Freddy Potgieter (1:18.35) Females under 45 years (50km): 1st – Bianca Cooper (2:17.55) 2nd – Suzette Leach (2:30.50) 3rd – Laiken Pretorius (2:42.43) Females over 45 years (50km): 1st – Sandra Haywood (2:28.12) 2nd – Ronell Keeve (3:08.29) Males under 45 years (50km): 1st – Rudiger Hinze (1:59.15) 2nd – AC Swanepoel (1:59.53) 3rd – Shaun Scott (2:00.40) Males over 45 years (50km): 1st – Rudi du Randt (2:02.37) 2nd – Mike Beeslaar (2:06.38) 3rd – Gavin Holder (2:21.19) Male and female overall first positions (50km): Rudiger Hinze and Bianca Cooper. ALSO READ: Racers take on the muddy MTB trail

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