Weather didn’t dampen Sharks Trail Adventure
Craft Market were some of the other stand-out features of the popular festive season kick-starting event.
THE cold, wet conditions had little effect on the record field of cyclists and trail runners that descended upon the Summerveld Estate, Shongweni for the STIHL Sharks Trail Adventure.
Alan Hatherly and Hayley Smith recorded maiden MTB triumphs at the event while Al Leslie and Debbie Kitto ran to victory in the 18km Trail Run.
Despite the testing, muddy conditions the competitive men’s field shot out of the blocks, catching Hatherly somewhat unaware and forcing the rapidly emerging young star to dig deep early on after a tough week of off-season base training.
“It was a cross country style 40km course and with it being December and us all being in our base training phase, we just had no leg speed at all, myself especially as I took a break a week earlier than others in preparation for Rio,” explained the young 2016 Olympic Games hopeful.
“Brendon (Davids) and I put in a bit of an attack after the first 10km but we couldn’t really extend the gap on Andrew (Hill) and then, with about 10km to go, there was a very steep hill that we couldn’t get up because it was so sloshy so we ran up and that allowed him to close in on us,” said Hatherly.
“Andrew then got past Brendon and I knew he was catching me too so I backed off. Once he caught me the two of us rode together until the last climb up the dual track to the finish where I attacked with about 2km to go.”
Hill’s second place comes as the first time in the event’s four year history that he hasn’t stood aloft the top step of the podium however the TIB Insurance star still enjoyed every moment of his day in the saddle.
“I don’t mind handing over the reins to an up and coming youngster who is such a talented rider and definitely South Africa’s next big name in mountain biking!” said Hill gracefully.
“This was another wonderful race, the rain was a welcome relief as we continue to go through a serious drought and to get 1100 pre-entries is one of the biggest increases in entries at any race on the calendar, just going to show that guys want to come and do a race at this time of the year!”
RMB Change a Life MTB Academy stars Mboneni Ngcobo and Mazwi Smimango claimed first and second in the 20km Half Marathon MTB event while sub-juniors Sabine Thies and Sarah Ryan enjoyed a memorable tussle for the women’s spoils.
Amongst those who took to the trails by foot, it was Leslie who held off Nhlanhla Nzama and Stuart Laing while Kitto edged out double defending women’s champ Xoli Madida and Pippa McGregor.
Bongani Makathini added victory in 9km trail run to his fifth placed 20km Half Marathon MTB effort while Robyn Greyling won the 9km women’s dash.
The day also saw scores of youngsters relish their participation in the Sharkie Kids Ride while the Cell C Sharks squad’s presence and the Shongweni Farmers and
Craft Market were some of the other stand-out features of the popular festive season kick-starting event.
Results can be found at www.sharkstrailadventure.co.za.
