Nanyuki, Kenya. Friday to Sunday 12-14 February 2021 (Mount Kenya Trust)
The Tropic Air 10to4 Mountain Bike Challenge continues to be one of the most unique experiences that adventurers can find in Kenya. And what’s more, it’s all done for a good cause.
Sponsored for the fourth year running by Tropic Air, a leading air charter company operating throughout East Africa and based at Nanyuki, the 10to4 now runs eight events covering over 300km of mountain and savannah terrain. With over 400 participants expected from around the country and the world – including Kenyan international cyclist David Kinjah and his cycling team.
The 10to4 Event started with a blast with over 50 cyclists taking to the hardcore race Day 1 that runs between Borana Conservancy and the adjacent conservancies.
It was then with great sadness and regret that the 10to4 had to make the decision to cancel the remaining 10to4 Mountain Bike Challenge 2021 races.
Unfortunately, a member of the MKT support team started to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms. After immediately referring the individual to hospital for further tests, unfortunately, the results came back positive.
As we have always stated, it is our utmost priority to protect you the competitors, the volunteers and the event staff, in as such the event will not continue as planned. This will also apply to the Mini 10to4 races and the Altitude Horse Ride both scheduled for Sunday. We are conducting a contact trace of the people who have encountered the individual and asking them to isolate.
Due to the nature of the cancellation, we will honour our COVID-19 Cancellation Policy as per the 10to4 agreement. The Mount Kenya Trust is eternally grateful for your continued support and participation in this event. We ask you to please understand and respect our decision as the event organisers.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we make this decision, but we live in strange times and this is official protocol.
An official quote from the Event Manager:
“I am deeply saddened that we didn’t manage to host Day 2 and Day 3 of the event, but given the circumstances I am still sure we made the right decision to cancel the event when we did. We live in a very crazy world and these things happen. Someone asked me if I regretted trying to host the event in the first place, I can 100% say that I do not. We have to move forward in this ‘new world’ and in order to do that the boundaries have to be tested, and to be honest in this instance, I think it was just bad luck.” Leafy Rous, 10to4 Event Manager 2021.
The 10to4 is an unique sporting event that challenges elite cyclists and horse riders and accommodates beginners and families, all in the name of mountain conservation.
Taking place over three days on February 14th, 15th and 16th, this year’s Tropic Air 10to4 is designed to be fun for both participants and spectators, with events for children and adults. With a selection of routes and races for varying biking levels, as well as the hugely popular Braeburn Mini 10to4 for those under 12 years old, the event is one for all of the family. Camping and accommodation options are available for the whole weekend hosted on the exclusive Borana Conservancy at Borana Race Village.
Participants of the Tropic Air 10to4 raise money for the Mount Kenya Trust, a Kenyan Not-for profit working to protect the wildlife, forests, and people of this iconic mountain, which provides water and livelihoods for millions of Kenyans and supports habitats which host a third of the country’s 30,000 elephants.
Threats to the mountain include illegal logging, wildlife poaching, and overgrazing, which together risk the collapse of this fragile ecosystem. Mount Kenya Trust depend on the funds raised from this event in many different ways. Paying ranger salaries, fencing human-conflict zones or keeping vehicles on the mountain, every shilling is put towards the great mountain.
Sponsors include Tropic Air, Dormans, Royal African Safaris and Braeburn Group of International Schools with many more contributors, all shown on the 10to4 website.
For information on all of the races taking place and details on how to apply, take part, watch or volunteer please visit www.10to4.org. For more information on the title sponsor, please visit https://www.tropicairkenya.com/