Pumpkin Festival Race Results

This weekend launched the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy trails at the Heidelberg Pumpkin Festival Race. The race was a huge success with riders from all over the world competing. Billy Stelling, Transcape 2016 solo winner, claimed the inaugural 80 km title in a time of 3hr45. The female title was won by Swiss rider Marie – Claude Baars, who came all the way from Australia to compete.

The 80km route sent riders straight into fun technical single track with the opening of the Heidelberg cross country track. The track promises to become an active venue in the school cross country circuit. Once the riders left the sleepy town of Heidelberg, they headed for the mountains where the real racing began. Billy Stelling lead the way into the mountains but local rider, Pieter Gildenhuys, was an able challenger and kept the racing fast and furious. From water point 1 to water point 3, the riders crossed the awesome single track of the conservancy with great support from Honeywood and Grootvadersbosch farms. The magnificent views and great trails brought smiles to all. After WP 3, the riders took some strain on the "stairway to heaven" climb that took them to Skeiding guest farm. The final 10km tar stretch took the riders back to Heidelberg for a well deserved pumpkin beer. Billy managed the win with only a 3min lead over Pieter. Third place went to Johan Fourie.

The 60km route was won by Cape Town legend, Dick Morkel, who was also celebrating his 60th Birthday. Michelle van Zyl was the fastest female in the 60km distance and also the second overall with a time of 3h23. The 35km race had the largest participants with many local riders coming out to enjoy the festive atmosphere. The male and female titles of the 35km were won, respectively, by Pitie Rall and Corné Giliomee. Full results available below:

Pumpkins and bikes lined up for the pumpkin festival in Heidelberg (Credit: Maureen Burgher)

Full Results

One of the many awesome single track sections on the pumpkin festival route (Credit Jacques Marais)