Race Preview: 2026 Witfontein Enduro
Train shuttle and big mountain Queen Stage raise the stakes and stoke
Entries are officially open for the Witfontein Enduro 2026, and this year’s edition promises to be the most ambitious yet! Taking place on Sunday, 15 March 2026, the event returns as the second round of the National Series and season opener of the Western Cape Provincial Enduro Series. Riders are in for a treat this year with a new timing format that runs on a contactless system and a train shuttle to the top of Stage One leading into a massive Queen Stage high up in the majestic Outeniqua Mountains.
The trails of Witfontein have been hailed as some of the best in the country when it comes to Enduro Racing! Steep gradients, natural tech sections, roots, rocks and exquisite dirt are the name of the game in Witfontein. It is the perfect training and proving ground for riders seeking to take their riding to the next level on world-class Enduro trails!
“Witfontein, for me, is one of the best places to ride in South Africa so I love going back there. It’s always a good challenge. It’s a good mix of techy, steep, tight corners, trails, and nice flowy sections. It tests fitness, it tests your bike handling skills, it tests everything, so it’s a really good place to race! The trails are always brilliant and stoke is always high, so I’m very very excited!” – Frankie du Toit, Multiple Enduro and Downhill National Champion
From Grassroots to National Fixture
The Witfontein Enduro traces its origins back to 2020, when architect and passionate mountain biker Chris Barrett launched the inaugural event with just 45 riders. What began as a small “Funduro” quickly gained traction, drawing riders from across the country and establishing a reputation for the above mentioned challenging terrain and world-class trail building.
Within a year, the race had doubled in size and evolved into a full Enduro format, supported by dedicated local volunteers and sponsors who recognised its potential. Today, the event is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated stops on the national calendar, known for its demanding descents, breathtaking forest landscapes and welcoming race atmosphere.
“I would have to say that Witfontein is my favourite race venue for Enduro in South Africa. The terrain is so unique and just incredible to ride. If you’ve never ridden these trails, you are missing out big time! Your riding will undoubtedly level up from a few days spent on the trails there.” – Jason Boulle, 2024 Enduro National Champion
Shuttled by train into the mountains!
One of the biggest talking points for 2026 is the introduction of a train shuttle, a first-of-its-kind event Riders will load their bikes onto trailers before boarding trains in hourly batches from 06:00 to 09:00, transported directly into the mountains before tackling the opening stage of the race, Old Craddock Pass. Beyond the novelty factor, the train shuttle means riders will be getting in bonus descent metres!
The Full Enduro route then continues with a hike-a-bike to the start of the Queen Stage, while Lite Enduro competitors reach the lower section via a dedicated route along the railway line on race day.
The Big Mountain Queen Stage
If the train shuttle provides the journey, the Queen Stage delivers the challenge. Set high in the rugged Outeniquas, the Old Craddock Pass promises classic big-mountain riding, with 700m of vertical drop (for the full Enduro) on some of Witfonteins’ finest tech, not to mention the out-of-this world views!
The Full Enduro route includes five stages covering 28km with 1300m of climbing, while the Lite Enduro offers three stages over 21km with 850m of elevation gain. Pacing is key, a good nutrition plan is vital, as is keeping it tidy in the technical sections.
The highly-demanded contactless timing system
The 2026 edition also introduces the new TrailTime SA contactless timing system, enabling rolling starts, rolling finishes and live stage results. Thus is a huge step forward in race experience and spectator engagement for local Enduros.
Safety standards for Enduro continue to evolve as well, with full-face helmets (or convertible helmets with removable chin bars) now mandatory for all riders. Keep an eye out for specials available from local bike shops and online stores such as Leatt.com eBike competitors will again feature prominently, with both Full and Lite E-Bike categories including a dedicated power stage.
Entries | Early bird entries remain open until 1 March, with prices increasing thereafter. The first 30 entrants stand a chance to win a Leatt Enduro 3.0 helmet, while early registration ensures better batch selection for the train shuttle. Enter here.
Supporting grassroots racing and trail development | The event is built on the strength of local trail advocacy, with the Hillbillies MTB Club maintaining the Witfontein trail network and supporting event delivery. Riders’ entry fees include race-day trail access, while additional pre-practice day permits help fund ongoing trail maintenance and development. Race village festivities at the Garden Route Botanical Gardens will include food vendors, sponsor activations and a vibrant spectator atmosphere.
Sponsor Support Driving the Event Forward | Events like Witfontein simply would not exist without committed industry and local partners, and the 2026 edition is proudly supported by a strong group of sponsors. Ruwacon Construction has come on board financially in partnership with RVP Plumbing, with some prize money potentially on the cards.
Leatt, globally respected for rider protection and performance apparel, adds significant value to the event experience. This year they have given away a full-face helmet to one of the early entrants, with a free race entry competition ongoing for the best Instagram image or reel of a Leatt full-face helmet and the tag #witfonteinenduro.
Local industry support comes from Ride Life Bike Shop, whose grassroots involvement reflects the strong cycling culture of the region, in collaboration with Giant Bicycles bringing international pedigree to the race environment. Last but not least we have G2G Pro who import Coswheel electric motorbikes & Goosynn TiFi bicycle wheels, partnering with and Ace Auto who deal in car parts, further demonstrating the broad support behind the event.
This collective backing reflects genuine investment in South African mountain biking and the continued development of high-quality racing platforms. “With the support of our sponsors, we have really pulled out all the stops this year, to make it a truly unique and memorable event. With such a wide variety of terrain all jammed into one race, Witfontein 2026 is the must-do Enduro of the season.” – Chris Barrett, Witfontein Enduro Race Director.