Returning Reed sneaks past erstwhile rival to grab bike Challenge
Jason Reed was once again in top form to win the headlining 60km marathon of the 16th annual Thomas River Mountain Bike Challenge held in the Thomas River Valley at the weekend.
Reed, a former champ who missed last year’s race, returned to defeat the hard chasing Jason Peach into the runner-up spot for the 2018 edition.
His victory in the end was a comfortable one as he came in, in a time of 2hrs, 28min and 34secs, just under four minutes ahead of Peach who finished in 2:32:32.
Veteran Donovan O’Reilly then put in a strong performance to come in third in a time of 2:37:01.
On the women's front it all went according to plan for pre race favourite Lara-Ann Everts van de Venter who put in a dominant performance to easily defend her women's title.
In last year’s race Everts van de Venter was pushed all the way by Shannon Kirkhoff and won by under a minute, but this year she was out on her own, cruising home in a time of 3:14:27, over 17 minutes ahead of her closest challenger Liesel Prentis who finished in 3:31:35, while Kirkhoff took third in 4:06:15.
In all it was an entertaining day for the riders who took part in the five different distances that were competed, as well as the three trail runs on offer.
“The experienced riders revelled in the new routes which were a good mix of farm roads and single track with a minimum of district roads,” claimed event organiser John Potter.
“At the same time the shorter distances were all doable by the less experienced.
“On offer were a 60km marathon and a 40km halfmarathon then for the younger, or older and less experienced a 19km, a 12km, a 4km and especially for those champions of tomorrow a race for those on their plastic scooters the chocolate race with suitable prizes for everyone.”
In the 40km race it was Kenny Dewing who impressed, powering to a win in a time of 2:16:40, just under 15 minutes ahead of runnerup Sabro Atakligan in 2:31:17, while Greg Vincent took the third and final podium spot just over a minute further back in 2:32:19.
The women's side was then closer with Ingrid Krummick taking the win in 3:06:28 and was followed in by Sophie Warren (3:10:04) and Nina Chambers (3:11:10) in second and third respectively.
In the 19km race it was Jason Miller who triumphed for the men and Kirsten Nash for the women, in the 12km it was Callum Reed and Cayleigh Wanckel and in the 4km it was Jack Bosazza and Claire Wardle.
The trail run event was also very competitive and in the main 20km race Pieter Swanepoel claimed the win ahead of Martin Smith and Malixole Kalideni in second and third respectively, with the top three finishing in under three minutes of each other.
On the women's 20km front Andrea Ranger triumphed ahead of Rebekah Anderson in second and Debbie Gee in third.
In the 10km race it was Elsabe Owen who took the overall win as first woman home, while Brian Schwulst finished as the first man, third overall.
In the 5km run Joshua Waddilove was the first male home, with Debra Pretorious the first female.
“A feature of the race is the Thomas River hospitality where every entry received a midday feast of farm mutton and venison,” added Potter.
“The main prizes for the three longer races were packs of farm mutton, the shorter race winners received suitable prizes and the runners received cash prizes.
“Thanks to our sponsors there were tons of lucky draw prizes available to everyone.
“The whole day had a very festive atmosphere that was enjoyed by all with lots to do and see.”
A feature of the race is the Thomas River hospitality where every entry received a midday feast of farm mutton and venison