Mandela Day Marathon MTB Dash -- 27 August 2016

A country like ours will never stop celebrating an icon such as our beloved Nelson Mandela. His influence and graciousness upon the nation will linger forever. So it is fitting that we continue to remember him in various ways including the fact that he was indeed an avid sportsman.

Now in its third year, the Mandela Day Marathon MTB Dash is fast becoming a must-do event on the annual cycling calendar and it would not be possible without the leadership and generosity of the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, located in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. As sport lovers we are indebted to our local political fathers and mothers who lead our regional area and districts and municipalities, which include the seven local municipalities Impendle - Impendle, Mkhambathini - Camperdown, Mpofana - Mooi River, Msunduzi - Pietermaritzburg, Richmond - Richmond, uMngeni - Howick, and uMshwathi - New Hanover/Wartburg.

In keeping with their generous support for the sport of cycling, which is growing vastly across the entire population in KwaZulu-Natal thanks to Cycling South Africa and their regional programme of taking bicycles to young people, the uMgungundlovu District Municipality must continue to receive the acknowledgement for their financial assistance in hosting this event. This assistance allows people from all walks of life to stand shoulder-to-shoulder showing the spirit of a great past leader.

Paralleled to the running marathon race, the Mandela Day Marathon MTB Dash celebrates a “triumph of the human spirit” and offers mountain bike race distances of 42 kilometres, 21 kilometres and 10 kilometres. The substantial prize money remains unchanged from last year, with a total prize purse of R 117 200 up for grabs across the age groups in the 42- and 21-kilometre events.

Starting and finishing at the iconic Nelson Mandela Capture Site in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands – where late former President Nelson Mandela was apprehended in 1962 and taken into captivity and incarcerated for 27 years until his release in 1994 – the race events ironically epitomise the freedom of choice that today’s people of the rainbow nation have.

KwaZulu-Natal-based and internationally renowned mountain bike route designer and designer of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games MTB course, Nick Floros, says that the track will be similar to that of last year’s event and caters for a variety of riding abilities and fitness.

“Although very much the same as last year’s route, we have made some small enhancements to a trail that has worked well for the event in the past,” said Floros. “We have included new single track into the course, but the layout is still the same and there will be no congestion because it will flow better.”

Traversing though the pride lands and timber plantations, the route incorporates some district road with some hills to climb and lots of mountain biking terrain.

“There is beautiful scenery at the top of the hills. Most people never get to ride these areas because they’re never opened to the public, so this is a great chance to do so,” continued Floros.

While some hills are inevitable in any mountain bike ride, Floros encourages everybody to come and experience riding in terrain that is usually not open to the public.

“We encourage everybody to come and challenge themselves – it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to finish the race. We enjoy preparing these trails with the “Weekend Warrior” in mind as we want them to come along and challenge themselves and conquer the race!”

Pitched at the regular rider, competitors will still require a reasonable level of fitness in order to enjoy the 42-kilometre race, bearing in mind that the route needs to be challenging for the top riders as well.

For those considering mountain biking or for those who have lost a little of their fitness, the 20-kilometre race is a great stepping-stone to mountain biking and to getting back into the sport.

Floros added that the 10-kilometre route, which is aimed at the entry-level competitor and the younger age groups, has had quite a few changes to make it a lot easier than last year’s event.

Non-participating families and friends will be able to look out for the riders at some of the road crossings and on parts of the route that are close to the road. For those who aren’t riding, the Midlands Meander is a fantastic way to spend your day. There are so many little stores, coffee shops and craft places to enjoy.

Online pre-entries for the Mandela Day Marathon MTB Dash are open, and close on Wednesday 24 August. Late entries will be accepted at registration, which is at Olympia Hall, Royal Showgrounds, Pietermaritzburg from 11:00-17:00 on Friday 26 August, and at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site from 06:00-07:30 on race day, Saturday 27 August.

For information on the 2016 Mandela Day Marathon MTB Dash, visit the official website – http://www.mandelamarathon.co.za/

For more information on KZN MTB Commission, visit – http://www.kznmtb.co.za/