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.

The course will start with a short bit of tar just to get the legs warmed up before entering Voigts Timbers, arguably one of the best riding spots in Kwa-Natal. The course will then make its way down into the valley through sugar cane plantations, then slowly climbing out through cattle fields and forestry. The course will then take you through some of the best single track riding you will experience, really natural but tuff, even descending down so of the World Cup Downhill for 2009. For the first 50km the course is really up and down with long steady climbs, short steep climbs, fast descents and some technical ones as well.

At about the 55km mark you will head into Hilton College for some more fun single track which will be a welcome relief after the climb you have just experienced. The last 20km is a little faster but certainly not easy, Taking you through private farms and wheat fields before arriving back at Grace college. This ride will be a good hard day at the office, but really well worth the reward in terms of terrain and scenery as this course has everything...

For the average rider it is highly recommended that you pace yourself very careful throughout the race. I rode the first 50km of the course at a steady pace and it took a good 3h30hrs.

The Ferdevco Half Marathon (37km) will be held on the same route through Voigts farm with lots of single track and fun riding. If you feel that it’s still a bit much there is the aQuelle 20km, which caters for everyone at all abilities with a gentle ride staying on top of the mountain and not venturing down any crazy valleys.

This is the last Drifter event of the series and it will certainly be one to remember. Punctures not a problem, so see you in the country for a great family weekend away.

For more info about this event and the series click here or to enter click here