LONG-STANDING title sponsors PwC have renewed their backing of the seventh Great Zuurberg Trek (GZT) mountain bike race after the event was put on hold for more than a year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three-day boutique offering will be held as usual at the Zuurberg Mountain Village which overlooks Addo. But this time the dates have moved from the traditional May slot to August 27 to 29.
“The boutique nature of the event, with riders limited to 300, appeals to PwC, and they are definitely hitting their target audience,” said event co-owner Trevor Hayter, from Hayterdale Trails
Hayter said the pillars and slogan of the GZT – Great Indoors. Great Outdoors. Great Impact – drove their efforts to deliver a premium experience.
“There are very few events that can match the post-stage services we offer and, outdoors, our tracks are equal to or better than most. And then there is the impact on the local community, so we put a substantial focus on those three elements.”
He added that they were linked to the foundation of the Sunday’s River Citrus Company and, in collaboration with the Engeli Group as capital raiser, had been instrumental in helping them purchase two buses to transport children to extra-curricular activities.
The second bus, aptly named Kids in Conservation, transports children to the Addo Elephant National Park, where Sanparks teach them about nature conservation.
“Events of this level just would not go ahead without the backing of a title sponsor, so we are grateful to PwC for the support they have shown us over the years,” said Hayter.
“In addition, there are a number of other companies who have come on board to assist and this support is massively important to help us provide a top-rate event.”
This year’s GZT will once again provide competitors with three days of riding through the Zuurberg mountain range and Sunday’s River Valley, followed by luxury-style entertainment and accommodation options.
The total race distance will be just over 200km with individual stages of around 70km, 90km and 50km offering a mix of gravel roads, sublime single-track and testing climbs.
- For more information, visit www.greatzuurbergtrek.co.za.
