Cycling, running enthusiasts tackle tough Thomas River
Both riders and runners were ecstatic about the course, which was a truly outdoor experience
Over 440 cyclists and runners descended on Thomas River to take part in the annual Thomas River Mountain Bike Challenge and Trail Run on Saturday.
Perfect weather welcomed the participants who took on various distances across both the mountain bike and trail run races.
In the headline 60km mountain bike challenge last year’s runner-up Jason Peach went one better this year, taking first place ahead of Paul Steyn and youngster EJ Molentze, while on the women’s front multiple champ Lara-Ann van de Venter defended her title, with Nina Chambers second and Liz Russell third.
The 40km race was then won by Jason Millar ahead of Renier Landman and Cuan Vincent in second and third respectively while the first three in on the ladies side were Anine Koch, Kirsten Nash and Hayley McLaughlan.
In the 19km ride Teo Bosazza was the first male and Madison Mann the first female home, while in the 12km event Philip Bartlett was the first man in and Georgie van Rooyen the first woman.
The main trail run race was the 20km distance, and saw Malixole Kaledini, who finished third last year, emerging victorious ahead of Kurt Leibach and Bryan Ranger in second and third respectively.
For the women, Andrea Ranger defended her title, ahead of runner-up Kate Muckart and third-placed Kirsten Forsyth.
The men’s winner for the 10km race was Delarey Du Plessis and the women’s winner Zane Bosch, while the first man home in the 5km run was Trevor Page and first woman Anagret Swart.
“Thanks to the efforts of JohnGary Wardle and Erik Egeland, who designed completely new courses for all the races, where competitors were treated to rides and runs that were 90% farm roads and single track where minimum use was made of the public roads, it was a truly mountain bike and trail running event,” said organiser John Potter.
“Both riders and runners were ecstatic about the course, which was a truly outdoor experience, while back at base there was a time to relax and cool down. One rider took it all the way by jumping in the pool.
“This was followed up by the traditional Thomas River free feast of farm lamb and venison, which is part of what the competitors get with their entry and a prizegiving where the podium winners got cooler bags of farm mutton and for the rest there were lucky draw prizes.
“Our thanks to our faithful supporters who come back to ride year after year, such as Olo Shwababa, who has supported us every year since our first race in 2003, and this year rode the 12km with his son, Sithe.”