Although the Pig, organised and presented by the Hillbillies MTB Club, became shorter and has moved into town from Jonkersberg where it previously took place, it was by no means tame. With route distances on race day of 16km, 34km and 54km - and more than 1 500m of vertical climbing - there was something for everybody. From graded roads in the pine plantations to narrow trails in the indigenous forest and sweeping roads next to the Garden Route Dam to steep climbs up the lower slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains.
This event falls in line with the drive by the Eden MTB Commission to have the routes and trails around George permanently marked, which will open up the area not only for locals, but will also provide a big stimulant for tourism.
This will also pave the way for upcoming provincial, national and international events already on the calendar for the next two years.With the extensive help from the Eden District Municipality Fire Department and teams from Working on Fire and George Municipality, a multitude of roads and trails have been cut open to be used not only by the mountain bikers, but also the hikers and trail runners.
On race day riders rubbed shoulders with the Absa Cape Epic African Champs, Gert Heyns and Matthys Beukes, both riding for Scott. It was Heyns, the 2014 South African u.23 Cross Country champion, who used his home ground advantage to win in a time of 2h52min. Thea-Mari van der Sandt was the first woman to cross the line in 3h27min on this tough route.
Aiden van Niekerk, currently the top South African junior marathon rider, took 1h37min to complete the 34km route with Amy Williams crossing the line as the first female rider in 2h05min.
The 16km distance was won by 13-year old Leon Claassen in a time of 1 hour with 14-year-old Nadia van Niekerk winning all the woman in a time of 1h01min.
Gert Heyns, the 2014 South African u.23 Cross Country champion, used his home ground advantage in this year's Wild Pig MTB Marathon at NMMU George Campus to win in a time of 2h52min.
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