The Gravel Rush autumn mountain bike race took place over the weekend of 11 April, attracting riders from across South Africa and overseas to the Boskoppie Lion and Tiger Reserve outside Kroonstad.
The standout performances of the day came from Peet Eloff who completed the 47 km in 2:11; Hayden Raw who completed the 90 km in 4:15; Dewald van Breda who completed the 165 km in 5:48; and Nico van der Merwe who mastered the demanding 265 km in 10:39. Christelle Wiggens was the first woman to cross the 265 km finishing line and took the overall second place with a time of 11:26.
Alexia Genne, who travelled from Dubai, said the spectacular scenery along the route helped ease the intensity of the physical challenge.
The majority of entrants came from Gauteng, reinforcing the province’s strong presence in South Africa’s endurance and gravel cycling scene.
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Ruan Botes, event organiser and Trail Hunter Events founder, said riders were thoroughly tested over a 285 km gravel course, featuring rugged terrain, scenic landscapes, and conditions designed to push endurance to its absolute limits.
Botes, who has been staging similar events since 2017, described the Gravel Rush as an examination of stamina, resilience and determination, with the route offering technically demanding riding and rewarding scenery throughout.
Interested riders can follow Trail Hunter‘s social media pages for details on the winter event.
