Sam Sanders claimed the women’s South Africa Marathon Mountain Bike Championships, trusting herself to go long and be bold to win her maiden national title, at the Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival on Sunday, 25 May, 2025.
The 41-year-old Team Efficient Infiniti Racing rider used her endurance to grind out a huge nine-minute victory over Bianca Haw and Danielle Du Toit, with Sarah Hill just missing a podium spot.
Sanders powered away on one of the long climbs midway through the 85km race and then time-trialled her way home.
After finishing second at SA Champs at the Absa Karkloof Country Club in both 2022 and 2024, and then with another runner-up finish at the SA Gravel Champs, also in Karkloof last month, Sanders was happy to have found the top step of the podium this time out.
“Yes, I have had a few second place finishes at Karkloof, but this time I think I have worked harder and the form was a lot better. I was definitely at my best this time!”
2025 South African MTB Champion, Samantha Sanders
“Age is a wonderful thing, in that you gain so much experience and trust in your capabilities and get to know what your specific skill set is. I now know that I can go long, and I have a good engine. I knew that my best chance of winning this weekend was to go long and be bold, and capitalise on that, rather than leaving it short and go for it at the finish.
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“I think, mentally for the other girls, that once the elastic broke it can be difficult to keep on fighting, and so for me it was more than just the physical ability that gave me the win.”
The 85km SA Mountain Mike Marathon Championships was the highlight of the 2025 Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival that included a full range of trail events, including trail runs and an enduro MTB race on Saturday.
The women’s race saw Carla van Huyssteen claim a big victory over Tenisha du Toit, with Eryn Chapman third.
Leading Women’s Results at the 2025 South African MTB Championships
1. Samantha Sanders 4:37:48
2. Bianca Haw 4:46:59
3. Danielle du Toit 4:47:11
4. Sarah Hill 4:49:31
5. Lilian Baber 05:04:44
6. Riley Smith 5:24:56
7. Karlise Scheepers 5:24:56
8. Steph Wohlters 5:25:20
9. Sanchia Malan 5:25:22
10. Shauna Esmeyer 5:33:06
Leading Age Category Results
Women’s Sub-Vets
1. Shauna Esmeyer 5:33:06
Women’s Vets
1. Steph Wohlters 5:25:20
Women’s 21km Trial Run
1. Carla van Huyssteen 1:51:17
2. Tenisha du Toit 2:10:06
3. Eryn Chapman 2:16:01
4. Lauren Keenan 2:17:47
5. Sarah Kelly 2:18:14
Original Copy: Tim Whitfield for Gameplan Media, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Samantha Sanders (centre) celebrates on the podium with runner up Bianca Haw (left) and Danielle du Toit after the SA Marathon Championship race at the 2025 Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival. All Photos: Taryn Scholtz / Gameplan Media
Photo 2 Caption: Sanders catches her breath after a solo ride to record a huge victory at the SA Marathon Champ race at Karkloof on Sunday.
