A new name, slot on the calendar and programme of events but the same value for money entry fees, great mountain biking action and world class trails await participants of the 2016 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival which takes place at Karkloof Country Club on Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 June.
A new name, a new slot on the calendar and a new programme of events, together with the same great mountain biking action, await participants of the 2016 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
Having shifted slightly deeper into winter from its former slot in early May, the event’s organisers have done away with the Karkloof Night Race that previously took place come nightfall on the Friday.
Instead, organisers are enthusiastic that the launch of three trail running events on the Saturday morning will extend the reach of the event and has paved the way for the name change with the entire weekend now proudly known as the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival.
“The change in date takes us away from sani2c and joBerg2c a little more, which will hopefully enable a few more participants of those two races to come and enjoy our world class event as well,” explained Race Director, Andrew Nicholson.
“The introduction of the trail running events is also really exciting for us as we get to bring a fresh market to our festival and hopefully the runners experience just what a fantastic weekend the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival really is,” he added.
The Karkloof region and its trails are once again set to play host to the 2016 edition of the ever-popular Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on 4 & 5 June. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
Nicholson also confirmed that despite the rise in costs and the tough current economic climate that everyone continues to feel the pinch of in their pocket, the event has avoided an increase in entry fees altogether.
“We’re thrilled that, with the help of our title sponsors, Sappi, there won’t be any increase in entry fees at all from 2015’s prices.
“We believe we offer tremendous value for money and to be able to do so once again this year but at last year’s prices really is something we’re very proud of!
Participants of the 2016 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival are readying themselves for more spectacular views, such as that of the Howick Falls, when they tackle this year’s mountain bike and trail running events on 4 and 5 June. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
With the hugely popular Sappi Karkloof Enduro getting underway at 12h00 on 3 June, Saturday morning provides the perfect opportunity for the 21km, 10km and 5km trail runners to enjoy their slice of the festival’s trail adventure while the weekend’s draw card – the 60km Sappi Karkloof Marathon – and the rest of the more traditional MTB events take place on Sunday.
“With the vast platform that the spectacular Karkloof region and its trails offer us, we’ve got quite a few new trails lined up for this year’s mountain bike races on the Sunday,” said Nicholson.
“There are plenty new additions that our 60km participants can look forward to while we’ve got an exciting, almost entirely new route for our 40km riders!”
The 2016 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival takes place at Karkloof Country Club on Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 June. The event offers 21km, 10km and 5km trail running races, 60km, 40km, 20km and 10km mountain bikes events as well as an Enduro. Entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za while more information can be found at www.karkloofmtb.co.za.
