Fast Facts
VIEW THE 2023 RESULTS HERE
PLEASE NOTE: ALL EVENTS (60km, 30km,15km and Kids) WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY 09 SEPTEMBER 2023 DUE TO THE EXTREME WEATHER FORECAST FOR SUNDAY.
The picturesque Root 44 Market, a place where vibrance, style and quality meets the avid market goer, with spectacular views of mountains and vineyards, will set the scene for one of the Western Cape’s most iconic individual 1-day mountain bike (MTB) events, the Fedhealth MTB Challenge.
Launched in 2015, the event caters for mountain bikers of all ages and capabilities, with routes boasting well-manicured, sensational single track and magnificent views.
The action kicks off on Saturday with the fun-filled Fedhealth MTB Challenge Kids Event (for ages 0 – 13) and Family Fun Ride (+-15km). On Sunday the more senior riders will have their time to shine at the Fedhealth MTB Challenge Marathon (+-60km) and Half Marathon (+-30km).
Whether you’re planning on racing or just looking for a fun day out on route with family and friends the Fedhealth MTB Challenge has an event just for you!
EVENT FAST FACTS
| Date | 09 September 2023 – Kids Event and Family Ride 09 September 2023 – Marathon and Half Marathon |
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| Venue | Root 44 Market, Stellenbosch | |||
| Format | One Day MTB Race | |||
| Distances | Marathon (60km) | Half Marathon (30km) | Family Ride (15km) | Kids Ride (500m / 1,5km / 5km) |
| Entry Fees | R475 | R375 | R225 | R100 |
| Entry Includes | Entry, Timing Chip, Medal, On Route Experience, Water Points, Tee (First 1000 Riders) & Post Event Entertainment | Entry, Timing Chip, Medal, On Route Experience, Water Points, Tee (First 1000 Riders) & Post Event Entertainment | Entry, Timing Chip, Medal, On Route Experience, Water Points, Tee (First 1000 Riders) & Post Event Entertainment | Entry, Medal, On Route Experience, Tee, Water Points |
| Start Times 09 Sept | 15km: 08h00
60km: 08h15 30km: 08h30 Kids 500m: 13ho0 Kids 1.5km: 12h30 Kids 5km: 11h30 |
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| Entries Open
Entries close |
Wednesday, 28 June 2023
Thursday, 07 September 2023 |
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RIDE FOR A CAUSE
The Kindness Collaboration is a joint initiative between Fedhealth and Operation Healing Hands (OHH). All medical professionals associated with OHH provide their time and skills for free; the funds raised will therefore go towards expenses such as consumables and random medical expenses.
Participant can donate any amount, but any donations over R 400 will receive a complimentary cycling jersey.
About Operation Healing Hands
Operation Healing Hands (OHH) was established in 2016 with the objective to provide life-changing surgeries to patients in need, while fulfilling the ethical responsibility of the private healthcare sector in closing the socioeconomic gap of patients in need of surgery. Together with many wonderful sponsors and service providers, the OHH team is responsible for changing the lives of many patients who would never have been able to afford the medical care they required.
Go to https://operationhealinghands.co.za/ to learn more.
Should the 2023 Fedhealth MTB Challenge taking place on the 9th & 10th of September 2023 be cancelled or postponed as a result of any events beyond the event organizer’s control (i.e. due to force majeure, COVID-19 restrictions, or legislation introduced by the South African government, etc.), then the following refund policy will apply to entrants:
- Riders will be refunded 80% of their paid for entry, should the event be cancelled or postponed by Monday 04 September 2023. Alternatively, riders will be able to roll their event entry to the Fedhealth MTB Challenge event in 2024.
- Should the event be cancelled within five (4) days of the event (i.e. from Tuesday, 05 September 2023 to 9 September 2023), or on the day of the event, riders will not be refunded any of their paid entry fees (0%).
It must also be noted that the first 1000 riders who pay and enter automatically qualify for their event t-shirt and drawstring bag, and will receive their garment should any of the above scenarios apply.
EVENT FAST FACTS
| Date | 09 September 2023 – Kids Event and Family Ride 09 September 2023 – Marathon and Half Marathon |
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| Venue | Root 44 Market, Stellenbosch | |||
| Format | One Day MTB Race | |||
| Distances | Marathon (60km) | Half Marathon (30km) | Family Ride (15km) | Kids Ride (500m / 1,5km / 5km) |
| Entry Fees | R475 | R375 | R225 | R100 |
| Entry Includes | Entry, Timing Chip, Medal, On Route Experience, Water Points, Tee (First 1000 Riders) & Post Event Entertainment | Entry, Timing Chip, Medal, On Route Experience, Water Points, Tee (First 1000 Riders) & Post Event Entertainment | Entry, Timing Chip, Medal, On Route Experience, Water Points, Tee (First 1000 Riders) & Post Event Entertainment | Entry, Medal, On Route Experience, Tee, Water Points |
| Start Time | From 08h00 (according to batched starts) | |||
| Entries Open:
Entries close |
Wednesday 28 June 2023
Thursday, 07 September 2023 |
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| Race Pack Collection
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Friday 08 September: 15h00-19h00
Saturday 09 September: 06h00-12h30 |
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AGE CATEGORIES
| Category Codes | Boys/Men Code | Girls/Women Code | Race |
| Nipper Boys and Girls (8 -10) | NB | NG | 15km Fun Ride |
| Sprog Boys and Girls (11-12) | SB | SG | 15km Fun Ride |
| Sub Junior Boys and Girls (13-14) | JB | JG | Half Marathon |
| Youth Men and Women (15-16) | YM | YW | Half Marathon |
| Junior Men and Women (17-18) | JM | JW | Half Marathon |
| Under 23 Men and Women(19-22) | UM | UW | Full Marathon |
| Senior Men and Women(23-29) | SM | SW | Full Marathon |
| Elite Men and Women(23+) | EM | EW | Full Marathon |
| Sub Vet Men and Women (30-39) | SV | SX | Full Marathon |
| Veteran Men and Women (40-49) | VM | VW | Full Marathon |
| Master Men and Women(50-59) | MM | MW | Full Marathon |
| Grand Master Men and Women (60+) | GMM | GMW | Full Marathon |
2023 ROUTE INFORMATION
MARATHON:
The Marathon will consist of a 58km route that boasts a total climb of 1200m. Riders can look forward to smooth open road climbs, lots of single track and technical (but smooth) descents. Enjoy a relatively flat first 10km to warm up the legs before climbing up to the top of Mont Marie! Mont Marie can be slippery in the wet, but the biggest piece of advice on this section is to trust the trail builder! After Mont Marie and the spectacular Dornier trails, riders will be treated to the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley where landowners have agreed to open their land especially for the Fedhealth MTB Challenge. The views here are special, be sure to take them in! From the top of the valley the seemingly endless and thrilling descent of Stellenzicht will get the adrenaline up before enjoying the full network of Alto and Ernie Els trails! A few flatish kilometers and a final single track descent will take riders to the buzzing finish at Root 44! This route is a special one, and crosses 20 different farms… if you’re fit ready to be wowed by the best of the Stellenbosch Trails make sure you enter this one!
HALF MARATHON
The 30km Half Marathon has 550m of climbing and although riders will be challenged it boasts a very well rounded route with a little bit of everything! After the initial climb out of Root 44, a flatter section awaits as riders follow the 60km route into the upper Blaauwklippen vineyards and through Vriesenhof on the way to Mont Marie. Riders will enjoy the lower sections of the Mont Marie trails before entering the beautiful Dornier loop. From here the hard work is over and riders can enjoy the flatter return back to the finish line festivities at Route 44!
FUN RIDE
A ride designed for the whole family, riders will climb 280m while enjoying some hand-picked single track! For the first time ever, the 15km will head towards Alto and Ernie Els which will be a highlight of the route! Save some energy for the climb out of the valley towards the end, and then enjoy the Louw se Bos descent to the finish line!
