Fourways Gardens Estate came alive with runners, cyclists, and families as it hosted the expanded Mount to Mikro Challenge Festival.

The estate welcomed participants from both inside and outside the estate for a day of sport and community engagement. Communications and events manager of the estate Francois Grobler said the decision to expand the festival was aimed at creating a broader community experience.

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“The festival grew from a concept where we only had mountain biking in 2024. This year we expanded it by adding trail running, so that it is a more inclusive community event.”

Participants took part in various events throughout the day, ranging from a challenging 24km cycling race to shorter runs for younger children. “We’ve got adults taking part, but we’ve also got the little ones who will be doing the last run this afternoon.”

Beyond the sporting activities, visitors were treated to a vibrant market. “We’ve got everything from local vendors and restaurants to residents with their own pop-up stores. We’ve also had incredible community support through sponsorships.”

He acknowledged the contributions of sponsors, including 24/7 Security, PostNet, and iTILE, as well as the collaboration with cycling coach Changa Smith, whose passion for developing cyclists played a key role in the event’s success.

“We wouldn’t be able to do the event without her. She’s passionate about cycling, the life skills the sport can teach, and encouraging both children and adults to get involved.”

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He also praised Smith’s dedication, despite recently suffering a broken collarbone. “You can’t keep her down. Even after her injury this past week, she’s here in full force, helping wherever she can.”

The estate also partnered with the South African National Blood Service, encouraging attendees to donate blood while enjoying the festival.

“We wanted the blood service to come through because it’s a great opportunity with so many people here. Donating blood is a life-saving resource, and we wanted to encourage people to make a difference.”

One of the event’s sponsors, iTILE, also used the festival as an opportunity to engage with the community. “Our boss is one of the homeowners here,” said Hesler Evans from iTILE. “So, he is aware of what’s happening in the estate. That’s why he wanted to be part of the event.”

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