World-class sports events abound

Some of the sporting highlights you can look forward to this year are featured here. The very popular Mac-Mac Ultra will take place from May 22 to 24 at Merry Pebbles in Sabie.

This 100-mile, 50-mile and 46-kilometre race is fondly known as “Africa’s freshest ultra”. The areas covered will be Sabie, Pilgrim’s Rest and Graskop.

This race counts as a Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc qualifier and will boast several checkpoints along the route. The diverse trail is both technical and groomed.

The Corporate Hippie Hike will take place on Saturday January 18 from 07:30 at Lowveld Extreme Adventures outside Hazyview. This is located on the Sabie Road near the Windmill Wine Shop and Cottages. This is a full-day tour of hiking and even some white-water tubing on the Sabie River.

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A picnic and lunch are included in the R950 per person for the day. Enquiries can be made on 083- 951-2004 or 073-968-4776.

The Hazyview parkrun is a weekly free five-kilometre timed run that takes place every Saturday at 07:00 in October to March, and 08:00 in April to September. This event, where it is you against the clock, takes place at Sabi River Sun, main Sabie Road, Hazyview.

What does it cost to join in? Nothing – it’s free! But please register (www.parkrun.co.za/register) before your first run. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don’t forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode. The Forever Lodge Mount Sheba Trail Run has numerous short trails in excellent condition.

These range from dense natural forest meanders to grassy paths along the ridge high above the lodge. Ilanga Trails has found routes to join these trails, creating a testing 20-kilometre route with about 800 metres of ascent. The 12- and six-kilometre trails will take the runner though magical forests of towering trees, hundreds of years old, crossing streams and through shady groves.

All finishers will receive a medal. Amazing prizes such as weekends in various other Forever Resorts and spot prizes are up for grabs. The hosts have pulled out all the stops to make this a fun-filled farewell to winter. The venue has hotel rooms and timeshare units. There are also limited camping facilities.

The cuisine is among the best that Mpumalanga has to offer. More details can be found on www.ilangatrails.co.za or email clive@ilangatrails.co.za

The Sabie Xperience has always endeavoured to create a mountain bike stage race that is within reach of most passionate participants in the sport, whether they be pro riders, amateur racers wanting to win categories and showcase their skills or just recreational riders who want to gain experience in proper trails in the stunning forests and diverse terrain around the quaint town of Sabie.

The date is still to be confirmed, but more information can be found on www.sabiexperience.co.za or email race-office@sabiexperience.co.za. Sabie is regarded as the hub of mountain biking in South Africa, with a long history of competitive and recreational riding.

With downhill slaloms into pine forests, kilometres of flowing single tracks, rolling hills and picturesque trails, enthusiastic mountain bike riders from far and wide line up each year alongside the country’s top professionals to challenge the legendary Sabie mountains.

The Ashburton Investments National MTB Series is one such event that draws riders from across the country. It takes place at the York Timbers sport ground, on the Old Lydenburg Road outside Sabie. Email: info@advendurance.com.

The annual Sabie Tube Race is taking place on the weekend of 31 January to 2 February 2020. To book your tickets for this very popular event, just Google “Sabie Tube Race 2020” or visit the Facebook page “Round Table White River 64”. For comfortable, dry, accommodation, book at Sabie Self Catering Apartments; less than five kilometres from the venue.

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