South African National Parks (SANParks), together with the SANParks Honorary Rangers; hosted the first-ever Marakele Mountain Bike (MTB) Challenge on Saturday (May 25) at Marakele National Park outside Thabazimbi in Limpopo.
“The Marakele MTB Race is a unique mountain bike event that takes place inside the park and aims to bring together both the ordinary members of the public as well as the professional mountain bike community of South Africa to have fun and take a 'ride on the wild side’,” said JP Louw: SANParks Head of Communications.
The challenge aims to highlight the importance of conservation and the various fundraising and tourism initiatives that are key to the functioning of a national park.
The marathon had over 200 participants from Limpopo and Gauteng.
Entries for next year are expected to open in September.
The Marakele MTB Challenge offers cyclists the option of a 10km, 20km, 40km, and 70km ride. Parts of the 70km and 40km routes go through the Big Five area of the park.
The routes through the park are manned by the SANParks rangers and Honorary Rangers to ensure guest and wildlife safety.
As part of the event, SANParks launched the new 6km Walking Trail and Mountain Bike Trails, sponsored by ArcelorMittal Thabazimbi Iron Ore Mine.
There are three different accreditation trails (8km Green MTB, 15km Blue MTB, and 20km Black MTB). The trails are guided and guests wishing to book a spot on any of the trails can book at reception.
