This year’s three-stage Eselfontein MTB challenge in Ceres starts on Friday October 12 with a gruelling night race, the main races are on Saturday, October 13 and the final leg and prize giving on Sunday, October 14.
This festival also has attractions for the whole family including supervised children’s play areas, a market-style food and drinks arena which includes local craft beer and meats and braaied cuts from renowned Geldenhuys butchery in Prince Alfred Hamlet. Camping is free for entrants.
Sponsored by Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, this event on a Ceres farm which grows apples, pears, peaches and produces dairy in the Warm Bokkeveld, contributes more than R100, 000 to local schools and homes for the aged.
Fifth-generation Eselfontein owners and Tru-Cape growers Deon and Janene Malherbe hold this annual event to help raise much needed funds for their community. Janene explains that homes for the aged Maudie Kriel, Ceres Tuiste and Peter Strauss will benefit. Deon says that the Ceres schools supported include Charlie Hofmeyr and Gericke Primary School. “We want our whole community to be involved in our festival and have especially set entry fees at the lowest level possible as well as providing free camping for entrants and their families,” says Deon adding that this is the most affordable MTB entry fee.
The Tru-Cape Eselfontein Festival is a three-stage Mountain Bike event and trail run which begins with a 40km day/night challenge at 18h00 on Friday, October 12. Routes on Saturday, October 13, include the 55km MTB kicking off at 07h00 as well as a 15km trail run. On Sunday, October 14 the 45km MTB continues from 07h00. “People can enter single races, if they’d like to”, says Deon Malherbe adding, “there will be opportunities for a 15km and a 40km MTB race on Saturday. Both begin at 07h30 and entries are available online or on the day.”
More information at www.eselfontein.co.za, janene@eselfontein.co.za or by calling 082 502 8810. Online entires at EntryNinja.com or clicking https://www.entryninja.com/events/event/29502-eselfontein-mtb-stage-race.
