Mthobisi Mzolo will look to lead the Merchants Change a Life Running Team charge at Saturday’s 21km trail running event of the 2016 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival at Karkloof Country Club having claimed a confidence boosting victory at the Hilton College Trail clash two weeks ago.
Howick – Martin Dreyer’s Merchants Change a Life Running Team is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to take on the renowned trails of the Karkloof region this weekend when they tackle Saturday’s all new trail running events at the 2016 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival in KZN’s Midlands.
Having grown in stature in recent times and fresh off his victory at the KZN Trail Running’s Hilton College Trail event two weeks ago, Mthobisi Mzolo will be a strong challenger for the inaugural title of this weekend’s 21km clash.
“Mthobisi is the assistant coach of our Merchants Change a Life Running Team and is a hardworking, reliable, responsible guy who has really grown in leadership in recent years while also being a very natural, gifted runner,” explains former Dusi Duke, Dreyer.
“When he was still at school he was always right at the front of our Change a Life cross country events that took place weekly around Nagle Dam and it’s great to see him now winning bigger races like the one at Hilton College recently.
“Karkloof will be a lot tougher with more competition at the front plus Mthobisi doesn’t know the route at all. However his recent win will give him good confidence so it will be great to see how he goes,” he adds.
Mzolo is likely to be joined by team mate and good friend Joe Maphumelo at the front of the Change a Life 21km race challenge while a gaggle of CAL’s exciting youngsters will hope to be at the sharp end of the 10km race.
“It’s a bit of swings and roundabouts when it comes to who usually wins between Mthobisi and Joe at our regular races.
“They’re both very talented athletes while some of the school boys on our team will also hope to feature in the 10km event this weekend.”
Dumisani Shabalala and Siyabonga Ngcongo followed Mzolo home at the Hilton event recently, making it a one-two-three for Change a Life at the event, and they too will be on the 21km start line this weekend, together with Sphiwe Mjwara, Thulani Skhakhane and Siyanda Zondi while Phaka Gwala, Sphelele Gumede, Mxolisi Zondi, Kwanda Mhlophe, Sandile Shangase and Raymond Radebe take on the 10km race.
The 2016 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival takes place at Karkloof Country Club on Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 June. The event offers 21km, 10km and 5km trail running races, 60km, 40km, 20km and 10km mountain bikes events as well as an Enduro. Entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za while more information can be found at www.karkloofmtb.co.za.
