The MiWay Big 5 Series Race #1 Zini Buffalo Classic

The MiWay Big 5 Series Race #1 Zini Buffalo Classic
The 2013 MiWay Big 5 Series is up and running with an almost perfect start, the cold extreme wind being the only set back, despite this the Expo and series registration at the Umfolozi Casino was well attended and continued with a massive turn out at the Zini Buffalo Classic the first race of the Series.

With 900 riders lining up, 230 of them in the 10km race the Series looks set to continue the previous years’ successes.

The hard work put in by the organisors Mtunzini Athletic Club and Mtunzini Round Table together with the masterpiece of a track Frank Uzzell the course designer presented made riding in the adverse conditions well worth it. The variety of track from the standard gum and cane jeep track to fast downhill single track sections, new sections through the coastal forest, the ride on the boardwalk, along with some new bridges and track twisting through forest breaks replacing some normally boring district road had riders raving that this track has to be Zini’s best ever.

The spectators were treated to an all new Chill zone concept and were well entertained with the 50km riders coming back through to the race village before continuing onto the next 25km, whilst the kids were once again kept busy in the Kidzone a feature of all MiWay Big 5 Series races.

This year the reigning Series champion, Sean Merredew, came in a close third position still showing great form against international competition Rourke Crouser who came in first and Andrew Hill in a dice to the finish coming in second.

In the ladies race the reigning champion Desiree Chantell Vervey (Briedenhan) was clear winner against some tough competition Hayley Smith and Isabel Moolman

For the first time in the Series the 10km race took up the status of a fully-fledged timed race with prizes for the U11 and U13 age categories, these are our future riders and their competitive spirit showed on the day when we had an U11 winning the race four minutes ahead of his closest rider Emmirick Bornman also an U11. We have some up and coming talent here.

The female U11 was won by Skylar Romman 3 minutes ahead of Cheneille Hall and in the U13 race the boy in the front was Patrick Mooney followed by Nick Benningfield and for the girls U13 Jade Louw almost beat the boys 17 seconds behind.

The 25km race was as fast as ever with Njabulo Nsikayezwe from Russell whites academy winning with Samuel Erasmus 8 seconds behind and from the masters age category Kobus Botha coming in third. In the ladies race Tracey Van Zyl coming in first followed by Stephanie Vincent and Althea Grebe.

All in all a very entertaining and fun day out for the whole family, something Big 5ers have come to enjoy. We’re looking forward to a fantastic season, see you at the next race the Pick n Pay Elephant Classic Eshowe.