Professional services firm PwC will be back in the saddle as title sponsors of the Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race, which takes place in the Addo region outside Port Elizabeth in August. Photo: Supplied
Long-standing title sponsors PwC have renewed their backing of the Great Zuurberg Trek (GZT) mountain bike race after the event was put on hold for more than a year due to the Covid pandemic.
The three-day boutique offering will be held as usual at the Zuurberg Mountain Village, which overlooks Addo near Port Elizabeth. But this time the dates have moved from the traditional May slot to August 27 to 29.
It is the seventh edition of the GZT and professional services firm PwC have been involved each year to provide a memorable race experience.
Event co-owner Trevor Hayter, from Hayterdale Trails, said those efforts created the core of their relationship with the sponsors.
“I think the reason we work so well together is that each year we have delivered what they expected. Every time we hold the event we try to add extra value for the riders and the sponsors, which is particularly important to us.
“In addition, the boutique nature of the event, with riders limited to 300, appeals to PwC, and they are definitely hitting their target audience.”
Hayter said the pillars and slogan of the GZT – Great Indoors. Great Outdoors. Great Impact – drove their efforts to deliver a premium experience.
“There are very few events that can match the post-stage services we offer and, outdoors, our tracks are equal to or better than most. And then there is the impact on the local community, so we put a substantial focus on those three elements.”
He added that they were linked to the foundation of the Sunday’s River Citrus Company and, in collaboration with the Engeli Group as capital raiser, had been instrumental in helping them purchase two buses to transport children to extra-curricular activities.
The second bus, aptly named Kids in Conservation, transports children to the Addo Elephant National Park, where Sanparks teach them about nature conservation.
“Events of this level just would not go ahead without the backing of a title sponsor, so we are grateful to PwC for the support they have shown us over the years,” said Hayter.
“In addition, there are a number of other companies who have come on board to assist and this support is massively important to help us provide a top-rate event.”
PwC Africa Clients and Markets Leader Michal Kotze said it was an absolute pleasure to work with the Hayterdale Trails team and their associates to put together an event like the GZT.
“This year, in particular, we’re so pleased to be able to invest in the local communities through the race and its nominated charities, many of whom have been tremendously hard hit by Covid-19 and its associated challenges.”
Kotze said societal purpose was extremely important to PwC, so they actively sought ways in which they could assist with the skills and resources they had.
“As title sponsor of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek since 2014, we couldn’t ask for more. The trails and scenery of the Addo region combine to offer some of the best mountain biking terrain in South Africa.
“Add a fantastic host venue and, of course, the participants, where top contenders mix it up with locals, and you have a riding experience unlike any other.
“And all of this in support of those who desperately need some form of assistance in this particularly tough year.”
This year’s GZT will once again provide competitors with three days of riding through the Zuurberg mountain range and Sunday’s River Valley, followed by luxury-style entertainment and accommodation options.
The total race distance will be just over 200km with individual stages of around 70km, 90km and 50km offering a mix of gravel roads, sublime single-track and testing climbs.
