This year marks the 20th annual Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge. Hosted by Barberton Rotary Club, the race will take place on January 30 and will boast five race categories in which riders can put their expertise to the test. From the 20km “very delicate” fun ride to the 110km “not so delicate” ultramarathon, the event will please novices and connoisseurs alike.
Following picturesque routes, participants will pedal through nature reserves, past dams and very close to the Swaziland border and up the Makhonjwa Mountains. The glorious view over the De Kaap Valley is what makes the Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge so popular and its uniqueness is one of the many reasons that mountain-bike riders from far and wide descend on Barberton every January.
The event is also very good for the town as it provides a much-needed financial injection to all our businesses. Most riders prefer to make a weekend of it and visit all the heritage sites. Very popular and something visitors can look forward to as well, is the Geotrail, which follows an eye-catching route.
Pre-entries for this challenging race are open and will close on January 26 at 23:00. This can be done by visiting www.barbertonxcm.co.za
Late registration will start on Friday, January 29 at 15:00 until 21:00 and on Saturday from 05:30.
All races will start and finish at the grounds of Barberton High School where there will be numerous stalls, a beer garden and fun for everyone.
The prize-giving as well as all other formalities will also take place there.
Race entry fees and different categories are as follows:
• 20km fun ride – R80
• 30km half-marathon – R100
• 48km half-marathon – R150
• 77km full marathon – R200
• 110km ultramarathon – R230.
