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Tranquilitas Adventure Trails, Mpumalanga — This past weekend, the Mpumalanga Enduro Series wrapped up its thrilling season finale at the scenic Tranquilitas Adventure Trails. Riders from every corner of South Africa gathered to test their limits on some of the country’s most challenging and beautiful mountain bike trails, ending the season with a spectacular display of skill, endurance, and passion.
The final race brought together 76 riders in the Full Enduro category and 12 in the Lite Enduro, all eager to navigate steep climbs, intense descents, and technical trails designed to push every competitor to their limits. The event celebrated not only athletic prowess but also the shared spirit of camaraderie and adventure that defines the mountain biking community. Amid the intense action, riders and spectators were treated to breathtaking views, a buzzing race atmosphere, and a course designed to be as thrilling as it was demanding.
Event Highlights and Top Performers
Overall Results – Men:
- Keagan Brand (Elite Men) – 00:19:29.374
- Willie Van Eck (Elite Men) – 00:20:04.694, trailing by 00:35
- Patrick Morewood (E-bike Men) – 00:20:10.143, trailing by 00:41
- Lance Murray (Junior Men) – 00:20:21.244, trailing by 00:52
- Tristan Vorster (Junior Men) – 00:20:32.698, trailing by 01:03
Overall Results – Women:
- Megan Jonker (Elite Women) – 00:24:33.924
- Mikyla Herbst (Junior Women) – 00:25:04.274, trailing by 00:30
- Kelly Marnewick (Vet Women) – 00:25:05.016, trailing by 00:31
- Keara Botha (Junior Women) – 00:26:28.102, trailing by 01:54
- Corne Ackermann (Grand Master Women) – 00:28:00.682, trailing by 03:27
Thrilling Category Results:
Elite Men:
In the fiercest showdown of the day, Keagan Brand took top honors with a lightning-fast time of 00:19:29.374, edging out Willie Van Eck and Ruben Le Roux in a tight battle for the podium.
E-bike Male:
Patrick Morewood flew across the finish line with an impressive 00:20:10.143, claiming first place. Close behind, Richard Crouse and Mike Lewis vied for position, bringing electric excitement to the course!
Junior Men:
Lance Murray stormed the course with 00:20:21.244, showcasing incredible skill for his age. Tristan Vorster and Luke Storm also delivered stellar performances in this competitive category.
Master Men:
The seasoned Barry Crouse proved unstoppable with his time of 00:20:52.271, followed by Frans Kirsten, who pushed through to secure a podium spot.
Sub Vet Men:
Raymond Oosterlaak showed his prowess, claiming the top spot in Sub Vets with 00:21:05.696, while Justin Victor and Joe Bester rounded off the podium in one of the day’s most competitive fields.
Youth Men:
Shaun Kunze took charge of the Youth category, finishing with 00:21:39.834, while Henro Fourie and Jarno Oelofsen put in fantastic rides to take second and third, respectively.
Vet Men:
Carl Deary led the Vet Men with a time of 00:21:51.257, followed closely by Robert Moore and Paulo Francisco, adding another layer of excitement to the day.
Sub Junior Boys:
In the Sub Junior Boys category, Morne Van Niekerk impressed with a leading time of 00:23:25.149, followed by Zak Coetzee at 00:25:22.106 and Ruben Jansen Van Vuuren at 00:25:57.942, showing remarkable potential among the younger riders.
Sub Junior Girls:
Gabby De Oliveira completed the course with a solid time of 00:34:10.311, showcasing resilience and promise in the Sub Junior Girls category.
Lite Sprog Male:
Young talent Ethan Duvenage showed skill beyond his years with a stellar 00:14:17.953, ahead of Rinhardt Strydom (00:16:57.464) and WJ Combrinck (00:18:05.873), demonstrating the promising future of enduro racing.
Senior Women:
Megan Jonker dominated with a blazing time of 00:24:33.924, leading the women’s field in Senior Women and setting an inspiring example for future riders.
Junior Women:
The juniors showed incredible speed and stamina, with Mikyla Herbst taking first in 00:25:04.274, followed by Keara Botha in a closely contested category.
Vet Women:
Kelly Marnewick took the Vet Women’s category with a smooth and controlled 00:25:05.016, embodying strength and resilience on the trails.
Grand Master Women:
Corne Ackermann showed her mastery and experience by finishing with a respectable 00:28:00.682 in the Grand Master category, rounding out the women’s races with her dedication and skill.
Lite Sprog Female:
Leyla De Oliveira shone brightly in the Lite Sprog Female category, completing the course in 00:16:13.478.
Lite Nipper Male:
The future stars took to the course with energy and enthusiasm, with Liam Marnewick finishing with an impressive 00:17:46.447, claiming top honors in the Lite Nipper Male category.Acknowledging Our Sponsors and Partners
The success of this event is a testament to the unwavering support of our sponsors, who played a crucial role in bringing the Mpumalanga Enduro Series to life. We extend our deepest gratitude to our primary sponsors:
- NFB Private Wealth Management
- Pronto Computer Solutions
- Van Niekerk Grasdakke
- Corne Ackermann
- The Sabie Xperience
- Trail Awareness Crew
Their commitment and support have made the event possible and ensured a memorable experience for all participants and spectators.
In addition, we’d like to recognise our additional sponsors, whose contributions have been invaluable:
- Action Retail Display
- Collective Medium
- Emergy Med
- Maxxis Tyres / Motul
- Shred Shed
- Valencia
- Bike Addict
- 13 Industries
- Phonix Capture cc – Professional Photography and Videography
- Motul South Africa
- Rush Sports
Special Thanks to Our Venue Partners and Core Team
We sincerely thank Tranquilitas Adventure Trails for hosting us on their incredible, well-maintained trails. Their dedication to keeping the trails in pristine condition elevates the racing experience and highlights the beauty of the local terrain. Additionally, a special thanks go to the Pyga Family—Barry Crouse and Richard Crouse—for their invaluable assistance in building exciting new features on the newly introduced stages, adding fresh challenges and thrills for our riders.
A heartfelt thank you to Arnold Botha (Smokie-Joe) and Dan Van Eijk (Danger-Dan), our race sweepers, who ensure every rider safely makes it to the finish. Constantly updating race organisers and support staff on the field’s progress, they provide essential support for riders facing minor issues like flat tyres and other challenges, making them vital to bringing everyone home.
Our core team worked tirelessly to bring this event to life, and we extend special thanks to Tanya Botha, Arnold Botha, Barbara Kunze, Pronto Computer Solutions, and The Behr Family from Tranquilitas for setting up and tearing down the event, ensuring everything was ready for race day.
Our medics from Emergy Med were also essential to the event’s success, standing by to provide expert assistance. Their professionalism allowed us to host a safe race, with minimal incidents handled promptly and efficiently.
A big thank you also goes to those who offered Shuttling Assistance: Tranquilitas, Barry Herbst, Buks Van Niekerk, the Trail Awareness Crew, Patrick Kunze, Arnold Botha, and the Pyga Family – Barry Crouse and Richard Crouse. Your time, equipment, and dedication ensured riders reached the practice stages smoothly and safely. We know your passion for the sport drives your commitment, and we appreciate every effort made, including contributions from those we may have missed.
To view event photos, follow the link to our Facebook Event Photo Album – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100069463112945&set=a.867803752211721
For more information, please contact: https://trailawareness.co.za/ Or Bacon@trailawareness.co.za
