Scottburgh’s first-ever Renishaw Solstice Race was a resounding success, with more than 400 runners and cyclists descending on Crocworld Adventure & Conservation Centre on Saturday, 20 June, to experience the growing network of trails within Renishaw Coastal Precinct. Top honours went to Daniel Van der Watt in the men’s race, while Nadine Nunes took first place in the women’s race.
Hosted by the Scottburgh Cycling Club and sponsored by Renishaw Coastal Precinct, the event attracted 455 registrations, with 412 athletes tackling a variety of trail running and mountain biking routes. The race formed part of the KwaZulu-Natal Mountain Biking Series and was classified as a KZN Super Classic Race, drawing participants from across the province.
“The response to the inaugural Renishaw Solstice Race exceeded expectations and confirms the KZN Mid-South Coast as a premier destination for adventure sport,” said Barto van der Merwe, Managing Director of Renishaw Coastal Precinct. “Through collaborative efforts, we are steadily building a network of world-class outdoor experiences that allow visitors to truly take advantage of this region’s natural beauty.”
Challenging Trails, Incredible Scenery
Athletes tackled routes that traversed the spectacular landscapes of Renishaw Farm, Finningley Farm, and Umkomaas, with the renowned Cannonbrae Trails proving a standout feature for competitors in the 45km mountain biking category. The courses combined flowing single-track sections, technical descents, farm roads, challenging climbs, and panoramic coastal views, showcasing the natural beauty of the region.
Men’s Results
- Daniel Van der Watt (01:50:27)
- Cade Smith (01:52:18)
- Josh Rheeders (01:53:10)
Women’s Results
- Nadine Nunes (02:37:42)
- Jill Peach (02:44:07)
- Colbi Chiesman (02:47:10)
Full results: https://splittime.co.za/results/
According to Runé Van Zyl of the Scottburgh Cycling Club, the overwhelming feedback from participants confirmed the event’s success: “Organising a first-time event comes with countless questions and uncertainties, but after this weekend, the answer is clear. The excitement, laughter, smiles, and sense of achievement on the faces of participants were all the proof we needed that this event was a tremendous success and one that will be remembered for years to come.
“We received fantastic feedback from athletes throughout the day. Riders and runners praised the quality of the trails, the excellent route marking, and the support from our marshals. Many described the routes as challenging, rewarding, and incredibly enjoyable.”
Van Zyl noted that the event would not have been possible without the collective effort of volunteers, sponsors, local businesses, and community partners: “We are incredibly grateful to Renishaw Coastal Precinct for sponsoring the event and assisting with the preparation of the farm roads.
“A special thank you also goes to Badger’s Cycling and Sports Centre team for their dedication in clearing and preparing the trails. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Crocworld Adventure & Conservation Centre and Fish Eagle Café for helping create such a welcoming and professional event environment.”
Thanks were also extended to additional sponsors supporting the event, including Scottburgh Family Clinic, First Choice (Woodlands Dairy), Shisamanzi, Gladiator, and 32Gi.
More Than a Race
A major contributor to the event’s success was the growing trail network developed and maintained by Badger’s Cycling and Sports Centre. Owner, Jason Scott, said: “The feedback on the trails was phenomenal. Athletes were blown away by the diversity of the terrain, the flowing single tracks, the technical features, and the incredible coastal forest scenery. Many people were experiencing these trails for the first time and were genuinely impressed by what the KZN Mid-South Coast has to offer.”
Beyond the sporting competition, the Renishaw Solstice Race delivered a vibrant family-friendly atmosphere, with visitors enjoying Crocworld’s conservation attractions, the Jikaleza adventure experience, children’s activities, food vendors, and meals at the Fish Eagle Café. The event also fulfilled its broader community objective, with a portion of the proceeds being allocated to local non-profit initiatives.
Get In Touch
Crocworld Adventure & Conservation Centre forms part of the 1,300-hectare Renishaw Coastal Precinct (RCP), which consists of lifestyle developments, Renishaw Hills and the newly launched Restilridge Farm Estate. Further plans for the precinct include a private school, hospital, recreational facilities, shopping centre, hotel, and light industrial zone with 80% of the land preserved as conservation space.
- Renishaw Coastal Precinct: Contact Barto van der Merwe on 087 135 5555 | Visit www.renishaw.co.za
- Crocworld Adventure & Conservation Centre: Call 039 976 1103 | Visit www.crocworld.co.za | Follow Crocworld Conservation Centre on Facebook and Instagram
- Badger’s Cycling and Sports Centre: Call 072 831 8878 | Follow Badger’s Cycling and Sports Centre on Facebook and Instagram