The Induna national Marathon in my opinion is situated in one of the most beautiful areas in South Africa. After racing all over the world i can truely say that it is in my yearly must do list for bike racing. the organises go out there way to take in the most breathtaking singletracks combined with some of the best scenery South Africa has to offer. conditions are normally wonderful in hazyview and with so many other atrrictions around the area for your family you would be crazy to miss the weekend of fun in the lowveld. The course has some magical areas that are very remote, beautiful and often unnaccesible for the normal person. The event is smoothly run and the crew of induna go out there way to accomadate all that compete from the international proffesionals to the little kids that ride. I can promise you, you will finish off your day with a wonderful smile and the dream of returning again to test yourself in the lovely lowveld.

With the ever spectacular mountainbike Mecca in the Lowvelt, Induna has alway been one of my favorite races in the local calender. Short challenging climbs, followed by exhilarating quad track downhills. The race is only as hard as you want it to be, as everything is ride-able and some great surprises… riding in a singletrack stream underneath a natural bridge, passing elephants and not to mention the awesome scenery! This is a must do race for anyone who calls them self a Mountainbiker…

Dear Passionate Mountain biking friends, this is the most spectacular mountain bike race anyone can ask for, it rips the word mountain biking apart as the mountains there make you feel dreadfully small, even if you should ride a 29’er,  Jip three inches won’t make them any less forgiving towards your fit muscles!

This challenge is close to my heart as I think I lost my soul in the pristine beauty of the landscapes between Hazyview and Sabie, and now I frequently return there to search for it!  Every excuse for a holiday I will find a way to be there with my bike. 

Around Induna Adventures (At the start of The Induna race) you will find ample accommodation for you and your family or spectators, so rent a crowd as every breath of cheering will urge you on to the finish line!  You will also have a few distance options to choose from based on your fitness, you will know when you lied about it…There is a 10km, 40-50, 70-75, 120km.

The route will surprise you every year, with either new single track, new quad trails that are tricky (and energy consuming), new bridges, or new CLIMBS.  There is never a dreary moment (except for the drag towards the road next to the macadamia plantation, you’ll know when you get there) use it to get back into rhythm! Don’t stare at the beauty of Mother Nature there too long or she’ll send you a root to trip you.  Having fun will come naturally to you in these forests, take advantage of this!  You will feel the weight of the world leaving your shoulders as you plunge down the technical sections, noting else but survival will matter.  Giggles will fill your stomach, ears will flame up and goose bumps will ride your back from your crown all the way down your spine at every nearly fall!  

In winter time Induna has summer so prepare accordingly! Put sunscreen on even if it’s cloudy, get extra sachets of re-hydrate.  And use the water points that are there for you!  And after your battle with nature, sharp corners, unexpected rocks, slippery single tracks, and a hippo or two if you’re lucky please go down to the Sabie River and swim in the crystal waters where the Mac-Mac and Shabaan rivers meet up, you’ll be so refreshed you will be able to do it all over again!

Regards Samantha Oosthuysen

After a 1 year hiatus the Big Induna is back and better than ever!

This is a race that I really look forward to every season as it encapsulates what mountain biking should be about.

 If you are fortunate enough to know Jaco Lubbe and his committed team at Induna Adventures, you’ll know exactly what I mean…

These guys spend a huge amount of time perfecting the Big Induna MTB course and infrastructure to deliver a unique experience to each competitor.

If you add all of their work to the near perfect location of the race just outside of Hazyview (Mpumalanga), it is evident that they have the recipe for success.

Participants of the Big Induna have 3 distances to choose from on the day – 45km, 75km or 120km for the racing snakes. O yes and a 10km funride for those who don’t want to take on the longer distances.

 No matter which distance you decide on, you can be assured of some proper mountain biking. There will be everything from jeep – and – single track, to quad trails, bridges, and even a river crossing or two…

Make sure to pen this into your calendar and bring the family along as there is more than enough to do for everyone. And as crazy as it sounds, seeing as it is in the middle of June, pack the sun block!

See you there,

Melt Swanepoel