New race an immediate success
Cyclists from all over were rewarded with a historical and wildlife route they will never experience elsewhere during the first-ever Lydenburg Heritage Mountain Bike Race held this past Saturday.
Cyclists from all over were rewarded with a historical and wildlife route they will never experience elsewhere during the first-ever Lydenburg Heritage Mountain Bike Race held this past Saturday. The new cycling adventure took place at Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve.
It was a great success and catered for the entire family. While riders were tackling the tough terrain, those who did not ride enjoyed strolling through the various stalls in the market area.
It offered a 17-kilometre and 30-kilometre race, as well as a two-kilometre kiddies route.
According to organiser Charlene Coetzee, the course was well planned, adventurous and fun.
“The people who prepared the course did it so well and all the riders enjoyed themselves. Not a single cyclists got lost and the marshals played their role so well,” she said.
The race saw about 360 entries excluding the children who participated in the two-kilometre course. “We are happy with the number of people who participated, for our first race we did well. In my experience, when a race is done for the very first time, the number of entries is usually about 150 and we doubled that.”
Coetzee believes that together as a town, people can do more. “I hope that next year more people will join us because some were a bit sceptical. The residents need to know that without them the event would not have been a success, even if I had organised everything so well. Without their support it would not have worked out.”
The event was hosted by the Lydenburg/Mashishing Business Chamber. “We want to thank everyone who attended and helped us while we were still preparing. We want to also extend our gratitude towards Glencore and all our sponsors for the funds and donations that were contributed to our event,” said Coetzee.
Results:
Overall women 30 kilometres
1. Monique Swart, 02:18:07
2. Anin Koen, 02:18:12
3. Juanita Kammeyer, 02:26:14
Overall men 30 kilometres
1. Armand Lombard, 01:33:31
2. Heyno Kruger, 01:40:10
3. Arie Roos, 01:50:46
Overall men 17 kilometres
1. Emile Fourie, 00:52:43
2. Nathan Kurensky, 00:55:33
3. Donald Hlase, 00:55:55
Overall women 17 kilometres
1. Simone van Wyk, 01:21:14
2. Bernice van Wyk, 01:26:24
3. Stephanie Fritz, 01:28:21
Master ladies
1. Cobie Steinberg, time: 01:29:54.
