The High Schools’ MTB series as we know it today was started by Dr. Anton Botha from Menlopark during 2001. Using the XCO (cross-country lap racing) format, Dr. Botha organised one event, and it drew 22 riders! Growth was slow during the next four years, with an average of 40 riders participating per year. During 2003 Sias Steyn (also from Menlo Park) took control.
 

In 2006 another event was added and the Series took on the current three-race format. The third event was staged in Krugersdorp, and this was the first time the Series visited Johannesburg. During that year, more than 50 entries were received for the first time.

Deon Steyn took over responsibility for the Series in 2007, when entries ramped up to a maximum of 99 – one short of the magical 100! Prior to the start of the 2008 season, Deon convinced Ride Magazine to publish an article about the forthcoming Series. The results were spectacular, as entries shot up to 219 that year! The number of High Schools involved in the Series then stood at 56.

 In 2009 the Series attracted Anatomic as its first title sponsor, and the Anatomic High Schools’ MTB Series was secured for a three-year period. Maximum entries rose to 225. During this year Spur also became involved as a sponsor and Central Gauteng Cycling (CGC) joined the sponsor-board – as the sponsor of the medals. The Series achieved another media milestone, when the final event in 2009 was televised on Super Cycling. With a more focused marketing approach, entries shot up to 343 in 2010!

 Although other racing formats have become popular in mountain biking, the cross-country lap racing format (also the Olympic format) is preferred here, because XCO is more involving – spectators see the riders several times during the race, and are also actively involved as the seconding team in the feeding zone. Racing takes place in 3 categories – Sub Junior (13-14), Youth (15-16) and Junior (17-18) for both genders.

The Anatomic High Schools’ MTB Series has become the biggest XCO series in South Africa, drawing more participants than Provincial and even National races!

The first two events this year received broadcast exposure on Super Cycling and a variety of other sponsors have been attracted to the Series, in the form of Thule, Helivac, Great Time and West Rand Cycles. All of these ensure value for money for the riders. 

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