Rider's Brief | #4 Sondela 27 June 2026
Welcome to the Ford Trailseeker Series, where mountain biking meets wide open trails, big scenery, and honest adventure. This Rider’s Guide includes everything you need to know to arrive prepared, confident, and ready to ride.
PRE-REGISTRATION
- Thursday 25 June
- 09:00 - 16:30
- Lynnwood Cyclery
OR
- Friday 26 June
- 13:00 - 16:30
- Sondela Nature Reserve
Pre-registration consists of checking and scanning your Pursuit timing board. The upside to attending pre-reg the day before your race is that you are fast-tracked through the express lane, no queuing on race day! If you are unable to attend Friday’s pre-registration, you can still register on the morning of the race.
RACE DAY INFORMATION
Please note:
#4 Sondela is sold out. NO late entries will be accepted on race day.
Please ensure that you receive the correct distance sticker at registration. This helps route marshals identify you correctly throughout the event.
EMERGENCY INFO
- 066 247 2123
In case of an Emergency
In case of an emergency during the race, please contact the race organisers immediately on the official emergency number. Please save this number to your phone before race day.
VENUE
A dedicated Wahoo warm-up zone and holding area will be next to the start batches.
- All schools & clubs must set up their gazebos on Friday between 09:00 and 16:00. Please phone the race office for any queries at 012 012 5205 or get in touch on our WhatsApp ONLY line at 067 461 5691
- Seattle Coffee will be there for a fresh cup of coffee first thing in the morning to get you going.
- When you cross the finish line, you can look forward to toasting your ride with an icy Powerade!
- There will be a free bikewash courtesy of Karcher.
- Delicious food and drink vendors will be on-site, so come hungry.
- Prize Giving at 12:30 and 13:00
START TIMES
Please arrive at least 40 mins before your start time.
Please note: Starting in a batch earlier than the one allocated to you will result in disqualification. Starting in a batch later than your allocated batch, will not lead to disqualification, but your time may reflect incorrectly. View the rules here: https://trailseeker.co.za/mtb/ts-rules/
MARATHON
Batch | Distance | Start |
Elite Men | Marathon | 08:00 |
Elite Woman | Marathon | 08:03 |
A-Men | Marathon | 08:06 |
A Woman | Marathon | 08:11 |
B | Marathon | 08:15 |
C | Marathon | 08:18 |
D | Marathon | 08:21 |
half MARATHON
Batch | Distance | Start |
E-Bikes | Half Marathon | 08:30 |
A-Men | Half Marathon | 09:30 |
Grandmaster-Men | Half Marathon | 09:33 |
A-Ladies | Half Marathon | 09:35 |
B | Half Marathon | 09:40 |
C | Half Marathon | 09:45 |
D | Half Marathon | 09:50 |
E | Half Marathon | 09:55 |
F | Half Marathon | 10:00 |
G | Half Marathon | 10:05 |
H | Half Marathon | 10:10 |
half MARATHON SHORT
Batch | Distance | Start |
A-Men | Half Marathon Short | 10:30 |
A-Ladies | Half Marathon Short | 10:33 |
B | Half Marathon Short | 10:40 |
C | Half Marathon Short | 10:45 |
D | Half Marathon Short | 10:50 |
E | Half Marathon Short | 10:55 |
F | Half Marathon Short | 11:00 |
G | Half Marathon Short | 11:05 |
FUN RIDE
Batch | Distance | Start |
A | Fun Ride | 11:15 |
B | Fun Ride | 11:20 |
C | Fun Ride | 11:25 |
ROUTE PROFILES
MARATHON | 66.7KM
HALF MARATHON | 36.2KM
HALF MARATHON SHORT | 19.2KM
FUN RIDE | 9.37KM
RACE RESULTS & PRIZE GIVING
Unofficial race results will be posted live online during the event. Final official results will be published on the Ford Trailseeker Series website within 24 hours of the race conclusion.
Prize giving will be held at 12:30 for the overall Elite winners and 13:00 for all Age category winners.
Elite podium consists of top 5 riders, while age group categories will be top 3 riders in each age group.
The official Ford Trailseeker series website consists of prize giving breakdown information.
ELITE LICENSING AND BATCHES
To be eligible for the overall prize money, you must hold a valid Elite license from CSA. If you’re not already licensed, you can purchase one through CSA.
Elite riders are only eligible for overall prizes, while age-category riders are only eligible for age-category prizes. If you choose to race as an Elite, you will not be allowed to move down to age categories later in the season.
The Elite men and women will race in separate batches, while age-category contenders will start in Batches A-D.
ELITE SERIES LEADERBOARD
This year, a new points system has been introduced for elite marathon men and women at Ford Trailseeker. All non-elite riders continue to compete under the standard series leaderboard points system, which remains unchanged across all distances and categories.
For elites, every race now counts. There is no best four from six, just consistent racing across all six events. Points are awarded based purely on finishing position, with only the top 20 scoring at each race.
SERIES LEADERBOARD
The Ford Trailseeker Series operates using two separate points systems. One applies exclusively to elite men and women in the marathon distance, and the other applies to all remaining riders, across all distances.
Both systems run alongside each other throughout the season, but they serve different purposes and reward different aspects of racing.
Distance | Name | Points |
Elite Men | Marc Pritzen | 92 |
Elite Woman | Samantha Sanders | 70 |
Marathon Men | Roland Risi | 7,749 |
Marathon Woman | Tessa Naude | 7,431 |
Half Marathon Men | Liam Barnard | 10,365 |
Half Marathon Woman | Nika Nortje | 12,000 |
Half Marathon Short Men | Stephan van der Merwe | 8,016 |
Half Marathon Short Woman | Nico-Maré Olivier | 7,829 |
Track your rider.
LIVE ON THE TRAILS.
Follow every kilometre, from start to finish.
Thank you for being a part of the Ford Trailseeker Series. We wish you an incredible race filled with excitement and personal achievement. Ride safe, have fun, and we’ll see you on the trails.
