The 2008 Mazda MTN National Marathon Mountain Bike Series is set for an exciting finale at the Mazda MTN 50 Miler, which takes place in Hilton on Sunday, 9 November.

Aiming for his fourth consecutive Series title is current South African champion, Kevin Evans, but he’s got the virtual who’s who of the sport out to topple him, if not in the Series rankings, then at least in Sunday’s 78km race, which is a new event on the Series calendar.

Expect the biggest challenge to come from the in-form DCM Chrome pair of Brandon Stewart and Max Knox.

It’s appropriate that the final leg of the 2008 Mazda MTN National Mountain Bike Series will take place in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday 9 November.

KwaZulu-Natal is widely regarded as the heart of mountain biking in the country and more than a thousand enthusiastic recreational mountain bikers are expected to line-up alongside most of the country’s top professionals at the Mazda MTN 50 Miler, at Grace College, in Hilton.

The Hilton 50 Miler plays host to Mazda MTN National Marathon Series on the 9th November at Grace College, Hilton. Just 10kms from Pietermaritzburg where the UCI World MTB Champs will be held in April next year.

The 78km Marathon covers 14 land owners including the well known Voigt Timbers, Otto’s Bluff and Hilton College. The course has a lot to offer all riders as the terrain and riding conditions are so diverse that every need is catered for. Very few rides in South Africa will provide similar views as are on offer here.

I was very impressed, this weekend; to find that there are some race organizers who still have the courage to arrange real mountain bike races! I was in Oudtshoorn for the 6th leg of the Mazda Drifter series. The race was pretty badly attended, whether this is because of the economy, or simply that people are too chicken to try some real hard mountain biking is debatable.
For me, I found it refreshing that there are still courses that can provide 81km of only jeep and single track. Not a dirt road in sight! And certainly no tar.