MLT Moonshine Trail: Bigger, Better (and Cheaper)

MLT Moonshine Trail: Bigger, Better (and Cheaper) for 2013

(Wednesday September 5) Organisers of one of Southland’s most popular mountain bike and off-road run events are confident changes to the event will help make the 2013 edition one of the best yet.

The MLT Moonshine Trail has been a well-liked feature on Southland’s events calendar since the inaugural event in 2007 and entries for the 2013 event are now open online at www.moonshinetrail.co.nz.

Event director Sally Hayes said Sport Southland wanted to ensure the event was the premier mountain bike and off-road event in Southland and had taken steps to make the 2013 race – scheduled for February 16 – both accessible and achievable for as many Southlanders as possible.

“We wanted to go back to why this event was started in the first place – to provide an awesome mountain-bike and off-road run event that all Southlanders can enter and enjoy,” she said.

“We have added a new mountain-bike distance option of 30km, for those who might just be starting out in mountain biking or who are looking for a more casual, laid-back ride than the 39km or the 42km (which includes Ship’s Cone) offers.

We added a 5km off-road run/walk this year and we are expecting that to grow in popularity. While it’s a tough 5km it’s certainly achievable and makes for a great day out.

We’ve also taken on board some feedback regarding the pricing, and the early-bird and regular pricing is now cheaper than it was in 2010.

So next year’s event will be bigger, better and cheaper and we hope the Southland public will really support the event and those changes.”

Hayes said one of the most positive aspects of the MLT Moonshine Trail was its community feel and the changes supported that.

“There are a lot of mountain bike events cropping up on the calendar, but the MLT Moonshine Trail is unique. We’ve got once-a-year access to some great courses in the Hokonui Hills and the ability to offer both elite and recreational mountain bikers and runners a challenging but achievable day out, with a great community feel,” she said.

“It’s also an ideal warm-up to the Motatapu event as well, so it has a wide appeal.”

Early-bird pricing is available online now at www.moonshinetrail.co.nz.

MLT Moonshine Trail: The Options
30km MTB
39km MTB
42km (includes Ship’s Cone) MTB
15km off-road run
5km off-road run/walk
Entries can be made online at www.moonshinetrail.co.nz

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