Barberton XCM picking up speed
Known today as the Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge, the event is deeply rooted in the town’s sporting and community heritage and has become synonymous with endurance, scenic beauty and community spirit.
The Barberton mountain bike race, held annually at the end of January, has over the years grown into one of the most anticipated sporting events on the local calendar.
Known today as the Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge, the event is deeply rooted in the town’s sporting and community heritage and has become synonymous with endurance, scenic beauty and community spirit.
This past weekend Barberton XCM mountain bike race took place in Barberton with bikers entering from all over South Africa and even some from overseas. According to Wynand Klaver, chairman of the Round Table 67 Barberton, who were the organisers of the race, it was a huge success. “We experienced no mayor problems anywhere and the lady who won the 110 km ultra-marathon race said it was the most amazing and most beautiful route she has ever participated in.”
Even the weather played along after weeks of cloudy and rainy weather and the day was sunny and hot!
This mountain bike race was founded in 1997 by Ben Theron and various members of the Rotary club and quickly became one of South Africa’s earliest and toughest one-day mountain bike events. From the outset, it was designed to test riders against Barberton’s rugged terrain, steep climbs and fast descents, while showcasing the area’s natural beauty.
Over time, it earned a reputation as a tough but rewarding race, attracting both elite riders and novice cyclists from across the country. It was run by the Rotary Club for 27 consecutive years as the main annual MTB event and a key charity fundraiser.
Under Rotary’s stewardship, the race grew steadily in size and stature, becoming a flagship fundraising initiative for the club. Funds raised through entry fees and sponsorships were channeled back into the community, supporting a wide range of charitable and development projects in and around Barberton. The Rotary Club’s long-term involvement ensured consistency, strong community buy-in and a well-organised event that riders returned to year after year.
The event traditionally offers multiple race distances to suit all riders, from a gentle 20 km fun ride to a grueling 110 km ultra-marathon that was introduced in 2005, with intermediate distances such as 30 km, 50 km and 77 km. Those year’s popular riders that won the ultra-marathon were Kevin Evans, Manie Heymans and Buddy Stander.
Traditionally starting and finishing at Barberton High School, the race offers several distance options, making it accessible to riders of varying fitness levels and experience. Routes typically traverse forestry roads, rugged mountain tracks and scenic sections through the greater Barberton area, including Mountainlands, contributing to the race’s reputation as both physically demanding and visually spectacular.
In recent years, a significant new chapter began for the event. After many successful years under the Rotary Club, the organisation of the Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge was handed over to Round Table 67 in 2025.
The transition marked a change in leadership, but not in vision. Round Table 67 has committed to preserving the race’s legacy while introducing fresh energy and ideas to ensure its continued growth and relevance.
The change in organisers reflects a shared commitment to community upliftment, as Round Table, like Rotary, is known for its involvement in charitable initiatives and local development. Early indications suggest that the event remains firmly rooted in its original values, with a continued focus on quality organisation, rider experience and community benefit.
According to Wynand they had 370 entries last year which grew to 497 entries this year. Hopefully this event will grow in size as it had in the years that the Rotary Club organised the race and managed to get over 1 000 entries.
The main sponsors for this year’s race was Mopani Pharmacy and Inyoni Africa. “Without sponsors events like this could not take place, so a huge thank you goes out to these as well as smaller businesses who also contributed."
The transition has brought fresh ideas, including enhanced entertainment at the high school grounds and continued support from sponsors, while preserving the core challenge and community spirit of the event.
The winners for 2026 in the 110 km ultra-marathon were:
- In the 23 years and older male category, Nico Bell from Nelspruit won it for the fifth time in 04:35:17.
- Second was Gawie Combrink in a time of 04:41:25 and, third Alan Gordon in a time of 05:04:16.
- In the 23 years and older female category, Patrys Edwards took top honours in a time of 06:11:28. In the second place was Katasja Kask in a time of 007:01:33 and third was Lesanne van der Vyver in 07:29:58.
- In the 19 - 22 years male division, Daan Terblanche won in a time of 06:26:42.
Other results for the day were as follows:
75 Km full marathon:
- 30 - 39 years female, Nadine Abrahamse - 05:53:48.
- 40 - 49 years female, Sanet Coetzee - 04:02:16.
- 19 - 29 years male, Eben Binneman - 03:12:03.
- 30 - 39 years male, Gordon Gilbert - 04:07:45.
- 40 - 49 years male, Eben Swart - 03:25:31.
- 50+ years male, Giles Fourie - 03:46:54.
50 Km half marathon:
- 15 - 18 years female, Lu-Mari du Plessis - 02:41:29.
- 19 - 39 years female, Mia Putter - 03:10:11.
- 40 - 49 years female, Cindy Porobich - 03:15:32.
- 50+ years female, Roelien Saunders - 03:24:27.
- 15 - 18 Years male, Scholtz Boshoff - 02:28:25.
- 19 - 39 years male, Seth Watts - 02:31:51.
- 40 - 49 years male, Kris Bornman - 03:16:50.
- 50+ years male, Ingo de Jager - 03:03:18.
50 Km half marathon - EBIKE
- 50+ years female, Heidi de Bruin - 02:44:26.
- 50+ years male, Danie de Jongh - 02:44:26.
30 Km fun ride:
- 13 - 14 years female, Leyla de Oliveira - 1:10:17.
- 15 - 18 years female, Kylie Briedenhann - 1:302:03.
- 19 - 39 years female, Kaylee Hunt - 1:32:38.
- 40 - 49 years female, Karien Nel - 1:27:49.
- Open fun ride female, Renschea Niemandt - 1:30:56.
- 13 - 14 years male, Dian Pretorius - 1:03:59.
- 15 - 18 years male, Ian Taylor - 1:06:34.
- 19 - 39 years male, Chris le Grange - 1:23:10.
- 40 - 49 years male, Cornelius Steenkamp - 1:12:52.
- Open fun ride male, Frederick Basson - 1:12:52.
20 Km fun ride:
- 8 - 12 years female, Emmah Prinsloo - 1:06:56.
- Open fun ride female, Nicola Olivier - 1:08:37.
- 8 - 12 years male, David Saddon-Taylor - 1:03:33.
- 13 - 14 years male, Ivan van den Berg - 1:07:58.
- Open fun ride male, Carel Strydom - 1:00:31.
View full results here.
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Lynette Spencer
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