Klein Karoo gears up for trail run, mountain bike challenge

About 600 athletes and cyclists from across the country are expected to flock to the Klein Karoo at the weekend to participate in the Meiringspoort Challenge.

The trail run and mountain bike challenge was founded in 2014 by members of the De Rust NG Church.

Marita de Villiers, who is one of the organisers, said the purpose of the event was to attract tourists, unite locals and educate people about the small town of De Rust.

“The main aim of the event is to attract visitors to De Rust and boost its tourism and economy.

“All involved in putting this event together are volunteers who dedicate their free time to the organisation and the success of this,” De Villiers said.

“The event that started with just a trail run activity grew year after year with the addition of a mountain bike challenge in 2016, in which 205 riders took part.

“The event now boasts two trail run routes and three mountain bike routes, and has transformed into a family event with music, food and entertainment.”

According to De Villiers, since the event started in 2014, it has contributed towards charity organisations in and around the Klein Karoo and this year it has partnered with Eljada Kairos School, a special needs school in Oudtshoorn.

“The school provides education to children with disabilities by teaching them valuable skills to become independent and feel included in society,” she said.

The event is family friendly and will treat spectators to a lovely country bazaar and prizegiving.

Activities include a steak braai on the Friday night, and food stalls, meat sales and a beer tent on Saturday.

The trail runners will complete a 14.5km trail run that will start at Meijer’s Rust Guest Farm in Meiringspoort on Saturday morning and end at the church grounds. Medical support will also be available.

Registration and late entries will be open from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, and from 6am to 7am on Saturday.

The 61km mountain bike race is scheduled to start at 7.50am.

Medals are awarded to all who finish. There are also cash prizes to be won.

Prizes are awarded to the men and women who finish first, second and third on each trail and bike route.

There will also be some lucky draw prizes.

‘The event now boasts two trail run routes and three mountain bike routes, and has transformed into a family event with music, food and entertainment