The second leg of the 2010 MTN National Marathon Series will take place in Barberton, Mpumalanga, on Saturday 30 January.

The kick-off for the MTN National MTB Series is happening in Oudtshoorn on the 16th January 2010 where the Men will be separated from the boys. For those of you who will be completing in the grueling 135km we wish you all the best!

Barberton is widely regarded as the start to the season and the first big tester after the relaxing holidays!

This year we expect Close to 2000 enthusiastic recreational mountain bikers lining-up alongside the country’s top professionals at the MTN National Marathon, at the Barberton High School, in Barberton.Using the new routes introduced in 2009, we've made them even better to set the stage for South Africa's best to tackle the daunting Barberton Mountain.

Online entries are done at www.mtncycling.co.za until 24st January, but late entries will be limited at registration on Friday 29rd January.

 Please pre-enter to limit the last minute rush...Course Information.

 All documentation, meals, bar facility and functions will be held at the Barberton high school. The races are run over three routes and use parts of the same route, which follow district, plantation, country roads and tracks:

 •     MTN Ultra Marathon (120km) for the Elite men and any other extreme endurance athlete.

 •     MTN Marathon (75km) for the tough and hardy.

 •     MIWAY ½ Marathon (45km) for the average mountain bike rider

 •     The fun ride (10km) for the family group, the joyful of heart and the not so tough. 

The Marathon route (75km & 45km) go into the first range of the Makhonjwa Mountains and passes some really splendid scenery. In places one gets magnificent views over the Great De Kaap Valley and Eastern Mpumalanga. The routes take the cyclist through many old mining areas. Most climbing is done on the outward journey and the return includes a long, exhilarating downhill section, which flattens out with a last uphill section back to the finish.

The cyclists return through the beautiful Mountain lands Nature Reserve and the Greenstone Wildlife Estate. The “Ultra Marathon” which extends the 75km by another 45km for the Professional elite riders making it a brutal, world class 120km Ultra Marathon! 

•     The start altitude is at 828m and the finish at 790m.

 •     On the (120km) Ultra Marathon the cyclist climbs 2800m.

 •     On the (75km) Marathon the cyclist climbs to a height of 1800m.

•     On the Half Marathon (45km) the cyclist climbs to an altitude of 1600m.

 •     On the fun ride the cyclist travel downhill from the start and uphill from the halfway mark. 

Important Pointers

 •     As this event is held in the summer, the cyclist may experience hot or rainy weather and should be prepared to cope with these conditions.

 •     Seven water points will be provided along the marathon (75km), five water points on the half marathon (45km) and one on the fun ride. The (120km) Ultra Marathon will be a combination of the two laps so there will be a total of 12 water points along the route.

 •     First Aid Services will be provided to the cyclists on the routes and at the finish.

 •    The organisers may, at their discretion, shorten, lengthen or change the course if the weather, or safety of the cyclist, deem this necessary.

 •     A Pasta evening is included for all participants; additional tickets are available at an extra fee for all non-participants.

 •    Bike wash facilities will be available at the finish area 

Accommodation: 

Accommodation Information on all available accommodation can be obtained from Barberton Information Web Site or from Barberton Tourism, Booking Officer , Tel: (013) 712 2880 or book online on Web site: www.barberton.co.zaSee you on the trails!
Fritz Pienaar
Series Director
MTN NATIONAL MTB SERIES