BRANDKOP MTB & TRAIL 2023

The annual Brandkop MTB & Trail Run takes place on the unspoiled Brandkop Guest Farm outside of the quaint little town of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape.

Darling Brew, together with farm owners Pieter and Elizna Louw, takes great pride in welcoming some of SA's most prolific runners and cyclists to this stunning neck of the woods, and encourages all keen adventurers to heed the call of the hinterland. It's EPIC out there!

LOCATION:

Brandkop Guest Farm, Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape, 8180

DATE:

The Brandkop MTB & Trail Run will take place on the Saturday, 14th of October 2023 starting at 05:30. Nieuwoudtville sunrise is at 06:06 on this date in October.

REGISTRATION:

Friday, 13 October 2023: 18:00 - 21:00 at Die Nedersetting Guest House and Restaurant where you will receive your goodie bag.

Saturday, 14 October 2023:  05:30 - 06:30 at Brandkop Guest Farm for those wanting to register just before the race.

Brandkop 2023 tickets are available on Entry Ninja & the DB shop. NO REFUNDS WILL BE PERMITTED AFTER 8 October 2023 (END OF DAY). Tickets will still be available for purchase at the event on Friday 13 October 2023 & on Race Day.

START TIMES & PRICES:

MTB 80km - 06:30 | R380 (early-bird R350)
MTB 40km - 06:40 | R300 (early-bird R270)
MTB 40km e-bike - 06:40 | R300 (early-bird R270)
MTB 20km - 06:50 | R250 (early-bird R220)

Trail Run 21km - 06:35 | R300 (early-bird R250)
Trail Run 12.5km - 06:45 | R250 (early-bird R220)
Trail Run 5km - 06:55 | R120 (early-bird R100)

Friday Pre-Event Dinner (R120 per person)

Saturday Post-Event Braai & Barn Dance (R195 per person)

CSA DAY LICENSE:

Brandkop MTB & Trail 2023 is a CSA (Cycle South Africa) sanctioned event.

If you are not a member of CSA and DO NOT have a membership licence, please purchase a day license at R50 per person directly on the Entry Ninja platform when you purchase your entry for the MTB categories of the Brandkop event.

Find out more on the CSA website: www.cyclingsa.com

WEEKEND TIMELINE:

FRIDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2023
Location: Die Needersetting Guest House and Restaurant

18:00 - 21:30 Registration - It is advised that riders arriving on Friday afternoon register at Die Needersetting Guest House and Restaurant where you will receive your goodie bag.
18:00 - 21:30 Dinner (choice of traditional potjiekos, sides, salad, and dessert) will be available at an extra cost of R120. Bookings are essential. Meal ticket sales benefit the local church via the Women’s Association Nieuwoudtville.
*Please note that delivery of food and goodie bags will be arranged for entrants who are camping at Brandkop Guest Farm so that they do not have to drive to town especially. 

SATURDAY, 14 OCOTBER 2023
Location: Everyone will meet up at this location (1km past Brandkop farm, on the left)

05:30 – 06:25 Opening & Registration 
06:30 - 06:55 STARTING LINE-UP 
12:00 – 13:00 Award ceremony + prize giving
From 18:00 onwards Braai & barn dance at R195 per person. Bookings essential. Ticket sales for the benefit of a school in the district.
*Community food stalls and Darling Brew drinks stalls will also be available at Race Village.

BRANDKOP 2023 ROUTES:

Please note that the routes will provisionally be the same as for Brandkop 2023. Provisional routes can be viewed and downloaded here

RULES & REGULATIONS:

? Self-sufficient ride/run. No helmet, no hydration, no armband = NO ride.
⬅️ Keep to left of route at all times & note in some areas you may need to pass riders/runners on same road.
? Please don't litter during race, this is a private farm we work extremely hard to access on your behalf.
? Be courteous to fellow riders/runners and any farmers or farm workers you meet en route.
? Please note that no refunds are permitted after end of day 23 April 2023.
? Weather may be fairly warm in Northern Cape during April. Come prepared & bring sunscreen (SPF50).
? Water tank at start for filling bottles & one refilling station on each route. Recommended that riders pack own bottles, energy bars, etc (especially for 80km MTB & 21km trail)

IMPORTANT ROUTE INFORMATION:

? Please save the emergency number to your phone before departing: Pieter Louw - 083 633 0669
? General route markers + directional arrows will be red on the whiteboard.
↔️ Split points will have category names + colour arrows that match MTB boards. Marshals will direct you accordingly.
? Certain routes travel through areas animals may be en route. Please stay alert & aware. The farm won't be held liable for any collisions or injuries.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Substitutions will be allowed until Wednesday 11th October 2023 at 12:00. Please contact [email protected] if you want to substitute your entry.

AFTER THE RACE:

All runners will receive a race pack before the event at registration and when you’ve completed your epic race you will receive a post-run finisher’s beer (non-alcoholic options available), our official Darling Brew glass, and a Brandkop MTB & Trail medal. 

NOW LET'S GET TRAINING FOR BRANDKOP 2023!

Time to dust off the bike and shake out those tekkies! We look forward to seeing you at Brandkop MTB & Trail 2023! 

To stay up to date with this year's event, follow our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter - and join our Facebook Group and Facebook Event. Keep us posted on your journey to race day using the hashtag #Brandkop2023 on social media. For further details or assistance, please contact jana@darlingbrew.co.za