The fourth edition of the Mt Kenya Epik MTB Tour took place from the 20th – 22nd April 2018. The routes for both the main and the kids event were set by the technical director of Africa Extreme, the organizers of the Mt Kenya Epik MTB Tour and Mini Series; David Kinjah. Kinjah, who has just represented Kenya in his fifth commonwealth games early in April.
Stage 1: Begun on Saturday 21st April from Naro Moru River Lodge with riders completing a 69km route along the railway line,back country roads and jeep tracks through the Lengetia Farm, along the Mt Kenya forest line and back eventually to Naro Moru River Lodge. This was truly a test of “Experiencing the Untamed” even for the more seasoned riders.
Stage 2: took place on 22nd April. Conditions were extremely challenging as a result of the heavy rains which forced the organisers of the event to amend the route to accommodate the muddy tracks. Riders were treated to an all new circuit within the grounds of Naro Moru River Lodge which featured exciting underpasses and drop-offs, single track and bush.
Boniface Gitau riding race Number 11b clocked 6hrs 25 minutes to top the podium closely followed by David Kinyua, 19 seconds apart as Samuel Kabundi came 6 hours and 27 minutes to seal the top three slots.
In the kids Category; 13 year old Noah Dekker blazed the new track like an expert stopping the clock at 37 minutes and 56 seconds on his 5th and final lap. Robin and Anika Bebbington topped the 10/11 year category in a time of 22 min and 27 minutes respectively. In the 2 lap 7/8 year old category, Dylan Gituku came in third with 25 minutes as Adrian Lambrechts topped the category with 24 mins. 4 year old Lewis Bebbington, the most fearless and youngest participant of the race stopped the clock in just under 13 minutes.
A prize giving ceremony for both the kids and adults events took place on Sunday 22nd April immediately after completion of stage 2. Renown Paralympic champion Henry Wanyoike; a patron of the Mt Kenya Epik ,was the guest of honor at the prize giving ceremonies for both the kids event and the main MTB tour.
Next event on the calendar will be the first of the Mt Kenya Epik MTB Mini-series; the Kari Challenge at Kalro Muguga on the 28th of July.