Rider's Brief | #6 Wellington 12 September 2026
Welcome to the Ford Trailseeker Series. We’re thrilled to have you join us for the grand finale. This guide has everything you need for a smooth, enjoyable race day at Bosman Family Vineyards
RACE DAY INFORMATION
Please note:
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.
THE FACES EVENTS APP
Everything you need in one place. Download the app to view full routes and elevation profiles, send GPX files straight to your device, track your loved ones out on course and follow the leaderboards as they update. Click the link below, log in and you’re ready.
WATCH THE ELITE RACING LIVE
Not lining up, but still want to see how the series is won? We’re live streaming the elite men and women’s racing from 07:30 showing on the screen at the venue. Follow every move, every chase and the final sprint for the overall title as it happens.
VENUE
A dedicated Wahoo warm-up zone and holding area will be next to the start batches.
- 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.
- 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
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 | 07:30 |
Elite Woman | Marathon | 07:35 |
A-Men | Marathon | 07:40 |
A-Woman | Marathon | 07:45 |
B | Marathon | 07:50 |
C | Marathon | 07:55 |
D | Marathon | 08:00 |
half MARATHON
Batch | Distance | Start |
E-bikes | Half Marathon | 08:45 |
A-Men | Half Marathon | 08:50 |
A-Woman | Half Marathon | 08:55 |
Grand Master Men | Half Marathon | 09:00 |
B | Half Marathon | 09:05 |
C | Half Marathon | 09:10 |
half MARATHON SHORT
Batch | Distance | Start |
A-Men | Half Marathon Short | 09:15 |
A-Woman | Half Marathon Short | 09:20 |
B | Half Marathon Short | 09:25 |
FUN RIDE
Batch | Distance | Start |
A | Fun Ride | 09:30 |
ROUTE INFORMATION
MARATHON | 63.7KM | 1814m
The Full Marathon delivers a demanding day out, with a mix of sustained climbing, rolling vineyard and farm tracks, and fast descents. Riders tackle the steady opening climb out of Bosman Family Vineyards before the route settles into more undulating terrain. The first two water points come at approximately 19 km and 26 km.
At around 30 km, riders hit the Ford Territory Section — a 1.39 km downhill flow-line Strava segment. Let the bike run, find your flow and see how your time stacks up on this dedicated segment.
Water Points: 19 km | 26 km | 42.9 km | 48.9km
HALF MARATHON | 36.5KM | 881M
The Half Marathon starts with a steady climb out of Bosman Family Vineyards, gaining close to 200 metres over the opening 5 km before riders are rewarded with a long descent into the middle section of the course. From here, the route settles into rolling terrain, mixing vineyard and farm tracks with shorter climbs and flowing descents. The first water point awaits at approximately 19 km.
The main challenge comes in the final third of the race, with the most sustained climbing between approximately 24 km and 31 km. Riders can refuel at the second water point at 26 km before continuing towards the highest point of the route. From the top, riders are rewarded with a fast descent before a rolling final few kilometres back towards Bosman and the finish.
Water Points: 19 km | 26 km
HALF MARATHON SHORT | 19.5KM | 498M
The Half Marathon Short gets straight into the climbing, sharing the steady opening ascent out of Bosman Family Vineyards and gaining close to 200 metres over the first 5 km. A welcome descent follows before riders reach the second major climb of the route at around 9 km.
The route’s water point is at approximately 12 km, near the high point of this second climb. From here, the route turns predominantly downhill for several kilometres before a flatter and faster closing section brings riders back towards Bosman and the finish.
Water Point: 12 km
FUN RIDE | 10KM | 240M
The Fun Ride may be the shortest route of the day, but riders still get a proper taste of Wellington riding. The route begins with a steady climb out of Bosman Family Vineyards, with most of the day’s climbing packed into the opening 4 km as riders make their way to the highest point of the route.
From the top, the character changes completely, with a long descent bringing riders back down towards the valley. The final few kilometres are predominantl rolling to downhill, providing an enjoyable and fast run back to Bosman and the finish.
Waterpoints: No Water Points
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:
11:30 for the overall Elite winners and overall E-bikers.
12:30 for all overall and Age category winners in the Half Marathon, Half Marathon Short, and Fun Ride.
Elite podium consists of top 5 riders, while age group categories will be top 3 riders in each age group.
View the prize money breakdown here.
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.
ELITE MEN
Position | Name | Total |
1 | Marc Pritzen | 162 |
2 | Jaedon Terlouw | 127 |
3 | Jan Withaar | 102 |
ELITE WOMEN
Position | Name | Total |
1 | Sarah Maré | 136 |
2 | Samantha Sanders | 110 |
3 | Frances Janse Van Rensburg | 81 |
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.
