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Kalvari and Team ROAG conquer the Illovo Eston!

[image] 08 August 2012


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Over three thousand riders, including top performers and a 5fm personality, took to the field last Sunday to participate in what is reportedly the biggest one-day event on the MTB calendar - the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge.

Damon Kalvari, who is known for his quirky comments on Gareth Cliff's 5FM morning show, tackled the 40km Half Marathon along with the ROAG Team in a time of 04:37:07.

This was the third race ever for Kalvari who has adopted a healthier lifestyle by mountain biking and running. His second race was last year's Sunday Tribune Jeep Hill2Hill, which he participated in after ROAG heard about his plight with losing weight through mountain biking.

Said Kalvari: "What a wonderful, scenic Illovo Eston 40km it was. However, it was quite a physically demanding course, reminding me that my healthier lifestyle is still in its infancy," he said, adding that he still has a lot of work ahead of him.

Kalvari, who is set to tackle the 45km half marathon at the Sunday Tribune Jeep Hill 2 Hill on September 15 with the dedicated ROAG Team, said he hopes to improve his time from last year.

The feature race of the event, the Illovo 60km Marathon, was taken by renowned rider Max Knox in the men's race. Second and third place went to Neil MacDonald and Waylon Woolcock respectively, while local favourites Luke Roberts and Andrew Hill (current leader of the ROAG Series in the overall men's category) took fifth and sixth position.

The women's 60km marathon was won by Brenda Potts, who was followed closely by Nedene Cahill and Ashleigh Parker-Moffatt. Overall current leader in the ROAG Series women's category, Natalie Bergstrom, took fourth place while Bridgette Stewart came in fifth.

In the 40km aQuellé Half Marathon it was Patrick Belton who powered to a convincing four and a half minute victory over Jedson Tooms, Gareth Andrews and the rest of the pack whilst in the ladies race the consistent performer, Bianca Haw, took the top honours.

Over 1200 MTB enthusiasts tackled the hugely popular 18km Tala Family Ride which took riders through the spectacular Tala Game Reserve and brought them up close and personal with some of the local wildlife whilst the youth of the sport got to enjoy the 10km Milky Lane Kids Ride.


SUMMARY OF RESULTS: ILLOVO ESTON MTB CHALLENGE

60km Illovo Marathon

Men

1. Max Knox 2:10.262.
Neil MacDonald 2:14.243.
Waylon Woolcock 2:15.294.
Luke Roberts 2:15.445.
Andrew Hill 2:15.49

Women

1.Brenda Potts
2:49.232.
Nedene Cahill 2:50.163.
Ashleigh Parker-Moffatt 2:50.484.
Natalie Bergstrom 2:53.205.
Bridgette Stewart 2:56.34

40km aQuellé Half Marathon

Men

1.Patrick Belton 1:31.032.
Jedson Tooms 1:35.413.
Gareth Andrews 1:36.51

Women

1.Bianca Haw 1:49.172.
Lyn van Breda 1:58.463.
Robyn Ryan 2:00.10

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