THE Sappi Scottburgh MTB and Trail Run has become the first event to allow mountain bikers and trail runners to get formally back to competitions in the province when it hosts a modified virtual event that signals the resumption of the Quattro ROAG Series on Friday, 28 August.
Under level two lockdown regulations, the event organisers will allow riders and runners to cover the required distances over appropriate terrain close to them or to travel to Scottburgh where race boss, Flavio Scarpa, has arranged for most of the trails to be available for the participants to enjoy. Scarpa said he opted to stage the unusual format of races to ensure that the event maintained its support for Cycling4Mobility, the charity that is central to the South Coast classic.
“We wanted to make sure that we kept Cycling4Mobility involved and supported them in whichever way we could this year,” Scarpa said. “We wanted to offer riders and runners the opportunity to take on the Scottburgh trails as they are. They will be raw and untamed but that’s how we like to position ourselves so we encourage entrants to come down and use the trails,” added Scarpa. Many of the virtual events in the recent past have required participants to remain indoors and take part on treadmills or static trainers but Scarpa is changing this, allowing remote riders and runners to join in virtually, subject to one proviso.
“Our main rule is that you need to be outside and do the distances over real terrain and not in your lounge,” he added. “Now that we can get out and ride and run again, it’s the perfect chance to take on our virtual event. The other rule is that your running or riding must be done offroad.”
From a distance perspective, the event is offering trail runners a 5km and 12km option while the mountain bikers will have a 10km, 22km and 42km distance to choose from. The event will also be giving away prizes for the most elevation gained, a selfie competition as well as some lucky draw prizes for those taking part. Entries cost R50 and athletes can enter and find all the event rules at www.roag.org.
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