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It’s an all-new Sappi Mankele Challenge on 16 March

Mbombela – It‟s once again time for the much-anticipated annual Sappi Mankele Challenge. But, this year, the challenge not only incorporates the infamous MTB races, it also sports three trail running events and promises to be a fun day for the entire family! The Sappi Mankele Challenge takes place at Mankele on Saturday, 16 March 2019.
While MTB riders can choose between a 12 km, 19 km, 34 km or 60 km race; trail runners can select between a 5 km, 10 km or 20 km event. The entry fee for the events is R80 per person. The kids can enjoy a 2.5 km kiddies MTB ride (R40 per child). There are various cash prizes up for grabs.

There is no entry fee for the family fun day! Come and enjoy live music, food stalls, a foofy slide, Boeresport and a jumping castle.

All of Mankele‟s usual family-orientated activities will also be on offer, from paintball and swimming to river rafting. These can be booked and paid for at Mankele on the day.

“Sappi is committed to enabling its communities to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and we are thus once again proud to partner with Mankele for this highly-anticipated annual challenge, which this year promises to be bigger and better and tons of fun for the entire family,” says Sappi‟s Regional Communications Manager Elsabe Coetzee.

Enter your school’s teams!

Sappi is again challenging schools to enter. The winning school – which is the one with the most scholars that take part – will win R5,500. There‟s also R3,500 up for grabs for second place and R2,500 for third.

Last year, Hoërskool Nelspruit took top honours, followed by Uplands (second place) and Laerskool Nelspruit (third place).

MTB: Choose your battle

The 12 km MTB challenge offers a flat start on district road to get your legs warmed up. You will turn right into the mine single track and, after a little climb, head into Msilezi Farm, with lovely rolling jeep track. The single track next to the river will lead you home.

The 19 km starts with a gradual climb up the district road, past Sudwala Lodge and up into the mine single track. This will be flat out until you turn onto the district road. There‟s a water point waiting for you at 9.2 km, followed by undulating recovery time. Then, bang into the mind-blowing descent, through African bushveld, with a rollercoaster-style bush tunnel. You‟re in for a fast finish, along the single track, all the way home.

If you‟re doing the 34 km, you‟re in for a rude awakening. The Old Sabie Road will have you doubting your fitness levels. But, once at the top of the sting, you will be rewarded with some beautiful pine single track. Then there‟s flowing jeep track, rocky climbs and stunning views to talk about, before heading down into the Sudwala Valley. At 20.4 km you‟ll get your second breath, at the water point. From here on are the reasons we ride… Steep descents, bushveld trails, bush tunnels and single track all the way home!

The 60 km challenge takes you up and through Mikon Chicken Farm. Whilst your legs will be crying, there will be some flats to help you along the way. Then it‟s onto the „gums‟ single track, followed by a little climbing and then the first massive reward – BEEES! You‟ll go down, past Mayo Estates, and off to Barry‟s and Simon‟s bush tunnels. Then, it‟s up, up, up, to Mankele ridge. This climb is a bit of a dog, but the reward is well worth it. Then, fast jeep track all the way to River Wild. After crossing the river, on our new bridge, you‟ll go up and down until you hit the district road. Then it‟s recovery time, until you enter the game farm. Two fast-flowing bush tunnels to take you home.

More event details here

Choose your battle: Trail running

Although the 5 km has quite a nasty start, it‟s followed by awesome trail running – taking you up and down, all around Mankele.

When the 10 km burns, just keep going! It is the same dog of a climb as the 20 km, but you will turn up the Downhill Course which will lead you into the Avalanche Course. Then there‟s the 80 m tunnel, followed by snakes and ladders. Straight up Jacob is waiting for you at the end!

The 20 km offers views as breath-taking as the climbs! The first climb is a brutal, but manageable, single track that takes you through Mikon Farms. Then, a super cool trail leads you to Heartbreak Hill. Once you have snaked all the way up, you will lead into the Avalanche trail, followed by the 80 m tunnel. Night vision is a must! Snakes and ladders will lead you to the XC Course. Straight up Jacob is waiting for you at the end!

To enter the Sappi Mankele Challenge, visit www.cyclingsa.com or www.entryrush.co.za.

For more information, contact Mark at 082 338 9532.

For more information about Mankele or to book accommodation, email ride@mankele.co.za or call 078 801 0453.