The Sappi Mankele Challenge, an annual highlight on the cycling calendar in Mpumalanga prior to COVID, has been revived. And it’s good news for everyone as the event now offers a 5km trail run as well as 15km, 35km and 55km cycling routes. This family-focused fun affair which takes place on 6 April 2024 at Mankele Adventures also provides enough of a challenge to those who are familiar with the conditions and trails of this legendary venue.
Paid partnership with Sappi
“We have seen a need for venues and events which offer families and trail users of all skill levels something to enjoy. They also desire a connection to the outdoors and access to inspirational environments like Mankele which offers breathtaking views, and beautiful trails through forests and grasslands,” said Danie Botha of 2D Adventures, the event organisers.
The event forms part of the Sappi Trails Programme (STP) which was started in 2011 and forms part of Sappi’s innovative approach to sustainable forestry. By providing access to its land for people to enjoy the benefits of how they balance the one third of their unplanted landholdings that are preserved for biodiversity, Sappi also work with their trail partners to ensure that the trail networks result in broad-based economic beneficiation for communities surrounding their forests.
“The event creates important socio-economic benefits by bringing day and overnight visitors into the Sudwala area. Aside from the tourism businesses it supports over the weekend of the event, it will help create better trails and thereby stimulate more year-round trail usage and related impacts as we have measured at other Sappi trail venues such as Karkloof in KwaZulu-Natal”, explains Sappi’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mpho Lethoko.
“Another important outcome of this partnership, which centres around creating shared value, is the involvement of the Mataffin Development Team which now includes 25 young girls and boys. These young riders will have the chance to test their abilities at the Sappi Mankele Challenge,” she said.
Sappi and 2D Adventures are excited to welcome riders and runners back to Mankele in the next leg of its exciting Trails Programme journey.
For more information, or to enter, click here.
Images: Jacques Marais
