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Globe’s best ready for MTB Marathon Worlds 2014 in Maritzburg

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Photos by: Darren Goddard/Gameplan Media

Pietermaritzburg – The world’s best endurance mountain bikers will converge on the Cascades MTB Park for the 2014 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships which take place this Sunday, 29 June, entrenching the cities status as Africa’s “Bike City”.

The most prestigious MTB marathon event on the international calendar visits African shores for the first time in its eleven year history and will add to the already impressive list of international cycling events the City of Choice has played host to previously.

Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser aims to clinch his fourth rainbow striped World Champion’s jersey – having already claimed victory in 2007, 2011 and 2013 – and in so doing, successfully defend a World title for the first time in his career.

The Specialized Racing sensation is joined by no fewer than four other former men’s World Champions – fellow Swiss cross-country ace Ralph Naef (2006), Belgium’s Roel Paulissen (2008 & 2009), Alban Lakata of Austria (2010) and Greece’s Periklis Ilias (2012) – and is one of more than half a dozen title contenders.

Lakata is one such hopeful eager to make the top step of the podium his own once more while Germany’s Karl Platt, Urs Huber and Steffen Thum, together with Colombia’s Hector Paez Leon, will have similar intensions.

Cross-country specialists Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic), Moritz Milatz (Germany) and Ralph Naef (Switzerland) have also made the journey out to South African shores and will no doubt consider themselves a part of the potent contenders mix.

James Reid (Trek SA) and Kevin Evans (FedGroup ITEC) look to represent the host nation’s strongest challenge whilst Rourke Croeser (Kargo Pro MTB) may well feature in the top 20 as well.

The women’s race is another mouth-watering affair as former winners and podium finishers aplenty litter the world class field.

Although five-time and defending women’s World Champ Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) hasn’t made the trip, former World Champs Sabine Spitz (2009) of Germany, Switzerland’s Esther Suss (2010) and Denmark’s Annika Langvad (2011 & 2012) are in set to be in Sunday’s line-up.

2013 runner-up Sally Bigham of Great Britain, European Champ Tereza Hurikova and current world numbers one, two and four – Eszter Dosa (Hungary), Alice Pirard (Belgium) and Milena Landtwing (Switzerland) – will join the former title holders whilst Stellenbosch-based Swiss star Ariane Kleinhans – married to South Africa’s Erik Kleinhans – will hope local course knowledge will help her better her current world ranking of sixth.

Mild conditions are expected throughout the weekend and spectators can enter the race village and lower sections of the course at Cascades MTB Park for free. The event will also be streamed live viawww.mtbworldchamps.co.za for those unable to attend live.

The weekend’s action gets underway with the inaugural edition of the Rainbow Challenge – a masters and amateurs MTB marathon event – however the vast majority of the globe’s cycling fraternity’s eyes will be on Sunday’s action as the best of the best square off.

Saturday’s Rainbow Challenge 70km age groups (men 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 and women 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49) set off from 08h00 onwards whilst the 50km age groups (men 60-64, 65-69, 70+ and women 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+) get underway from 10h00onwards.

The Rainbow Challenge will also see some inspirational efforts put in by some of South Africa’s and the globe’s age group para-cyclists as they tackle the tough 50km route.

Sunday’s action sees the men start their 95km battle at 08h00 and are expected to reach the finish line around 12h15 while the women set off at 08h45 and are predicted to complete their 74km effort at a similar time to the leading men.

A welcomed bout of rain descended on the Cascades MTB Park on Friday which settled a lot of the dust that is common in KwaZulu-Natal in winter but the weather forecast for the weekend looks bright and dry.

Spectators eager to catch all the action live can access Cascades MTB Park for free on Sunday 29 June.

Tee
Author: Tee

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Gordon’s & CK Experiences presents: Mango Groove at Chris Saunders Park

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Get ready for the ultimate family outing! South Africa’s legendary musical icons, Mango Groove will, light up the stage at Chris Saunders Park, on Friday 2 May, kicking off at 4pm.

This isn’t just a concert; it’s a fantastic opportunity to create lasting family memories filled with incredible music, delicious food, and exciting activities for everyone.

Join Mango Groove as they bring you the iconic hits that have been the soundtrack to South African life since the 80s. From the moment the first note drops, you’ll be swept away by their smash hits “Special Star,” “Dance Some More,” and all the timeless classics that have defined generations. This is your chance to experience the magic of Mango Groove in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

What’s in store for the kids?
We’ve got so much lined up:

  • Blaster Wars Arena – Ready, aim, and battle it out in a safe and exciting space.
  • Jumping Castles – Let them bounce the day away.
  • Lego Area – Creativity unleashed with endless building fun.
  • Target Shooting – Perfect for little sharpshooters.
  • Treasure Hunts & Fun Games – Adventure awaits.
  • Dedicated Toddler Zone – Safe and fun play for the tiniest festival-goers.

Tickets to this unmissable family event are a steal, priced between R100 and R250. With convenient, fully stocked bars for the adults and a delicious array of food stalls offering something for everyone, your taste buds will be as happy as your ears!

Date: Friday 2 May
Time: 4-10pm
Venue: Chris Saunders Park

Book your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable day of music and fun!
Tickets are available for purchase online at WebTickets.

Follow In The Park here for more upcoming music events. You do not want to miss out on the rest of the events they have planned for you!

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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Art

The East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 2025

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It’s fresh, bright and chockfull of surprises! It’s the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, and we’re talking fresh spaces. bright living! A giant breath of fresh air will sweep through the Durban Exhibition Centre when the Show rolls out from Friday 28 June to Sunday 6 July.

fresh spaces. bright living is all about how to tweak or transform your home into one which brings you joy, and allows you to be you! Whether it’s little touches of stylish decor or large sweeps of bold colour and pattern, you’ll leave the Show bursting with new skills from the experts, bright ideas from different brands… and loads of goodies and parcels. Jump on board, the 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show promises to fill your head with creativity to create your own fresh spaces. bright living.

Calling all cooks and homemakers!

This year’s Test Kitchen is the kitchen of the future! Hirsch is at the helm and The Kitchen Studio is creating a space that’ll knock your socks off. Top celebrity chefs (surprises up our sleeve), fabulous personalities (guess who?), crazy cooks (laughter is the best medicine)… the line-up is as long as it is sensational! If cooking’s your happy place, the Hirsch kitchen is the only place to be.

The 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is going to be child’s play!

This is Durban’s true family show, and we’ve got you well covered for the first week of the school holidays! From littlelies to larger, this year’s kids zone has mushroomed into its own dedicated hall, and has way, way more of what they love! And parents, this one’s for you. Drop and shop – there’s now a super-safe, well supervised drop-off zone, so you can do your thing, while they do theirs. A dedicated Kids Zone in the Coast of Dreams, with a whacky wonderland of activities. Packed with fun, yet competitive, activities and challenges, teens can put their skills to the test! From the incredible Monster Manor to fairytale characters to face-painting, wrestling and bowling, the kids just won’t want to go home.

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is always full of winners

And why shouldn’t it be you? With competitions big and small, you could carry home anything from the coolest kitchen appliance to the hottest sound system, a tantalising voucher to something or somewhere sensational or bags full of your favourite products.

This season, the Show is shining a full spotlight on fresh spaces, bright living, both outdoors and in! Plants, landscaping and new tricks and tools for garden lovers; boys’ toys and bits and bobs for outdoor lovers; and goodies and gadgets for those who live to braai! Renovating, restoring or dreaming of adventure, the Show will take you where you want to go.

We can’t wait to see you there!
www.housegardenshow.co.za

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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Entertainment

Bluey is coming to Durban for the FIRST TIME!

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Wackadoo!
Bluey is heading to Gateway in real life!

Get ready for an UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE at Gateway Thetre of Shopping from 29 April to 4 May and join them for a FREE Meet & Greet with Bluey.

Snap a photo, share a high-five, and make magical memories.
Bring the whole family for some Heeler Bluey fun. Stay connected to their social media page here for more information.

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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