![\"ccs-62657-0-72972000-1437469091.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-72972000-1437469091-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nParticipants of the 2015 Illovo Eston MTB Challenge are in for a mountain biking treat at Eston Club on Sunday 2 August.<\/span><\/p>\n Anthony Grote\/ Gameplan Media<\/p>\n The Eston Club is once again set to provide the perfect headquarters for the 2015 staging of the popular MTB event with organisers seeking to give riders even greater value for money this time around.<\/p>\n \u201cThe countdown is on and we really are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the 2015 Illovo Eston MTB Challenge on Sunday 2 August!\u201d says event director Ant Foster.<\/p>\n \u201cKnown as \u2018one of South Africa\u2019s most prestigious one day events\u2019, this year we hope that a significantly increased prize money pool \u2013 up by 56% from 2014 and, most notably, equal men\u2019s and women\u2019s purses \u2013 and some small yet very positive tweaks to the routes will once again provide riders with a fantastic day out!\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n With four distances to choose from, everyone \u2013 regardless of age, experience or ability \u2013 is able to be a part of the day\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Illovo Eston MTB Challenge has become known to be a fast, free flowing race across all four of our events and this I\u2019m sure will once again be a highlight for riders.<\/p>\n Minor teaks to the hugely popular Illovo Eston MTB Challenge routes will once again keep things fresh and of a top class standard for participants who tackle the 2015 edition of the race on Sunday 2 August.<\/span><\/p>\n Anthony Grote\/ Gameplan Media<\/p>\n \u201cThe route designers continue to add even greater value to the track by ensuring that routes are well prepared and groomed so that riders can enjoy themselves and have fun throughout, rather than feeling like they are on the road to nowhere,\u201d says Foster.<\/p>\n Organisers are again preparing for the day\u2019s feature event, the 60km Illovo Eston Marathon, to attract many of the province\u2019s, and even the country\u2019s, top elite competitors with over six hundred participants expected to line this race\u2019s trails on the day while a further 800 riders are anticipated to tackle the 40km aQuell\u00e9 Eston Half Marathon.<\/p>\n The iconic 18km Tala Family Ride through the heart of Tala Game Reserve is once again set to draw a capacity field of over 1200 entrants while the 10km Omnia Kids Ride is likely to see over 200 of tomorrow\u2019s stars enjoy their slice of the action.<\/p>\n \u201cAll routes will follow the same direction as last year,\u201d says Foster.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 60km route now includes even more great single track through Insingizi Game Lodge, with another 2km of expertly cut track adding to the already famous trails which riders have come to enjoy!<\/p>\n \u201cThe 40km has enjoyed a couple minor changes and will continue to be a \u2018live\u2019 route until race day depending on what the weather gods serve up.<\/p>\n \u201cThe family orientated 18km ride through Tala will again prove to be the most popular ride out of the four and our route designers have been hard at work, ensuring that all riders of all abilities can conquer this year\u2019s route.<\/p>\n \u201cFinally, the 10km kiddies track will skirt close by to the Eston Club and provide our sport\u2019s up and coming youngsters with a chance to stretch their legs and show off their bike handling skills.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n