TZANEEN – Cyclists and runners put their endurance and speed to the test at the ATKV Eiland MTB and Run on October 3, with competitors battling for podium positions across the mountain bike, e-bike and running events.

The event featured 10km, 30km and 60km MTB races, 30km and 60km e-bike events, as well as the 10km and 5km run.

Shared time behind 60km winner

In the 60km MTB race, Respect Ramashia produced the strongest performance of the day, taking the overall victory in 02:05:42 at an average speed of 26.3km/h.

Dirk Fouché and Pieter Esterhuizen could hardly be separated in the fight for the remaining podium positions, with both recording 02:08:47. Fouché was classified second and Esterhuizen third.

Age categories shape 30km results

The 30km MTB race saw Caleb Schwartz race to victory in 01:12:36, averaging 25.6km/h.

Ivan Labuschagne secured second place in 01:13:24, while Andy Pirie completed the overall podium with a time of 01:18:02.

Schwartz also claimed first place in the sub-junior category, while Labuschagne topped the Youth category and Pirie was the leading Veteran.

Nine seconds separate top two

Competition was equally fierce in the 10km MTB event. Joshua Bekker took overall honours after crossing the finish line in 24:31.

Xihlovo Mkansi followed just nine seconds later in 24:40, while Reuben Schwartz secured third position in 25:01.

Bekker and Mkansi finished first and second, respectively, in the open category, while Schwartz was the leading Nipper.

Masters shine in e-bike categories

E-bike riders also delivered impressive performances. In the 30km e-bike event, Coenraad Meyer claimed first place in 01:07:28. Gerhard Booysen followed closely in 01:07:50, with Wiekes Labuschagne completing the podium in 01:10:27.

Meyer was also the leading sub-veteran, while Booysen and Labuschagne took first and second, respectively, among the Masters.

Lisa Michelle Botha led the 60km e-bike field, winning in 02:14:36. Dylan Chillcott secured second place in 02:16:12, while Anina du Preez finished third in 02:44:53. Botha and Du Preez were first and second in the master category, while Chillcott won the veteran category.

Atherstone sets the pace on foot

The runners also had their opportunity to shine in the 10km Run.

Christopher Atherstone dominated the race, taking overall victory in 37:51. SM Sonnenberg crossed the line second in 45:13, followed by junior runner Xanru Ferreira in 45:25. Odette Fourie finished in the same time as Ferreira and was the first woman home, placing fourth overall.

Fourie led the women’s field ahead of Louise Gottsche, who finished in 51:41, and Daneke Coetser, who recorded 55:52.