[Event] WILDSERIES Somkhanda Challenge MTB 2019

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Event Name: WILDSERIES Somkhanda Challenge MTB 2019
When: 31 October 2019 - 3 November 2019
Where: Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, Kwazulu-Natal
Category: MTB

The WILDSERIES Somkhanda Challenge is a brand new 100km 3-day stage mountain biking event which traverses through the rolling hills, natural bushland and rugged terrain of the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve. Participants experience this 12 000-hectare reserve in a way the reserve has never been seen before, making it an event that will soon be recognised as a must do event on the mountain biking calendar.

Please note that for the safety and security of all the riders, the challenge will be cycled on a start stop format. Riders will be expected to stop at certain places to wait and ride on as a group.

Organised through a new and dynamic partnership between WILDLANDS, Africa4Africa and Emvokweni Community Trust, the WILDSERIES Somkhanda Challenge offers you a first-class mountain bike experience, providing access to one of South Africa’s iconic conservation areas and generating funding to underwrite and improve the ecosystem management as well as driving interventions that conserve endangered wildlife and species vulnerable to poaching and the illegal trade. Somkhanda promotes growth for the Gumbi community through ecotourism and environmental education opportunities, currently employing around 100 community members.

The accommodation bookings for the event will open at the same time as the entries, and will operate on a “first mail, first allocation” system, based on the date and time received. Accommodation offers for the event include campsites for you to bring your own tent within the reserve as well as self-catering safari tents. Check out the online entry page for more information. Not only does the race weekend promise a breath-taking experience in the land of the Gumbi people, but participants, family and friends will get a unique opportunity to mingle with experienced and innovative conservation minds in South Africa.

Entry Fees

Option One: Tented Camp Accommodation – 30 Riders Only

R5 000 including:

• Entry Fee (including all Meals): R3 500 (including VAT)
  
• Minimum Donation: R1 500 (But the sky’s the limit should you wish to further show your support for the conservation efforts of the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve)
  

Option Two: Camping Accommodation (Bring your own Tent) – 70 Riders Only

R4 500 including:

• Entry Fee (including all Meals): R3 000 (including VAT)
  
• Minimum Donation: R1 500 (But the sky’s the limit should you wish to further show your support for the conservation efforts of the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve)
  

SUPPORTER FEES

• Supporter Fee – Adult (including all Meals): R2 000 (including VAT)
  
• Supporter Fee – Scholar (including all Meals): R1 000 (including VAT)
  

Please note the Somkhanda Challenge is only open to participants aged 18 years old and over.

Gates open at 05:00 am and close at 10:00 pm.

A list of all riders will be at the gate, and you will be required to show some form of identification to ensure that your name is ticked off the list.

Meals

All meals are included in the entry fee. Please indicate if you are vegetarian on the entry form.

Please indicate on your entry form how many supporters (adult and scholar) will be joining you. All of their meals will be included in their Supporter Entry Fees.

A full bar and refreshments will be catered for by the reserve staff and a coffee station will be available with hot and cold drinks and cakes, chips, sweets and chocolates on offer for purchase.

Garments

Thanks to support from JONSSON WORKWEAR, we’d like to offer you the opportunity to donate the value of your sponsored event garment (R250) towards a kitty that will enable uniforms for the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve Rangers. Please indicate on your entry form if you’d rather support the Somkhanda Rangers with uniforms then take an event garment for yourself.

Weekend’s Itinerary

Thursday 31 October – Registration

15:00: Registration starts

18:30: Race briefing, video presentation

19:00: Registration closes

Friday 01 November – Day 1 48km

07:30: Inaugural Somkhanda Challenge starts from the Race Village

18:30: Dinner followed by photo and video presentation

19:00: Conservation Talk

Saturday 02 November – Day 2 42km

07:30: Somkhanda Challenge starts from the Race Village

18:30: Dinner followed by photo and video presentation

19:00: Conservation Talk followed by a fundraising auction

Sunday 03 November – Day 3 28km

08:00: Final day of the Somkhanda Challenge starts from the Race Village

10:30: Brunch followed by prize giving

Please note that our ‘no refunds’ policy applies to all entries – unless a substitution can be found at least two weeks before the event. It is the participant’s responsibility to find a substitution, not the organisers’. If a participant intends to withdraw, he/she must inform the organisers immediately. If there is a waiting list in place their entry will be offered to the next cyclist in line. If not, the participant must find someone to take their place. Please note that a refund will only be given once a substitution is found and they have paid for their entry. Under no circumstances may someone take part under another cyclist’s name. Please be aware that failure to appear at an event for which you are registered means that your entry fee will neither be refunded nor transferred to the following year’s event.

Please note that the minimum donation of R1 500 or any additional contribution specified will be treated as a donation. For this you are entitled to a Section 18 A certificate, however this will only be issued on email request to Buyisiwe@wildtrust.co.za .

Go to Event Page