November 10, 2003
By Bontle Moeng
ORGANISERS are determined that the gruelling Pick 'n Pay-94.7 Cycle Challenge through the streets of northern Johannesburg on Sunday 16 November will be "one of the best organised sports events in the world".
"We want an event that not only does the city proud, but showcases Joburg as a truly world class city," said public relations manager at Primedia, Natasha Wadvalla. Primedia is one of the co-sponsors of the event, through its radio station, 94.7.
This year some 25 000 cyclists are expected to take part in the cycle challenge - the second largest such event in the world behind Cape Town's Pick 'n Pay Argus cycle race.
Over the past seven years the cycle challenge has gone from strength to strength, with participants growing from 4 500 for the first race, to a whopping 22 000 last year.
This growth in the numbers "perfectly captures the city's competitive temperament and demonstrates the efficiency with which Joburg has strived to become the sporting capital of Africa", said Wadvalla. "The race has the potential to become a major force for tourism in Joburg with huge benefits and spin-offs for the local economy," she added.
"It has become the race for the City of Joburg, through the streets of Joburg, by the people of Joburg."
The cycle challenge, made up of two races - a 180km event for professional riders and a 94.7km event for amateur cyclists - will wind its way through many of Johannesburg's northern suburbs.
The route encompasses greater Johannesburg and the following suburbs will be affected: Woodmead, Kelvin, Wendywood, Wynberg, Atholl, Bramley, Oaklands, Houghton Estate, Braamfontein, Westcliff, Saxonwold, Parkwood, Parktown North, Dunkeld, Hyde Park, Craighall Park, Blairgowrie, Randburg, Kensington B, Bryanston, Olivedale, Douglasdale, Fourways, Bloubosrand, Sundowner, Honeydew, KyaSands, Diepsloot, Bridle Park, Blue Hills and Crowthorne.
The cycle challenge is being promoted as "Joburg's toughest race for the world's toughest people".
With an event of this magnitude a huge amount of preparation was necessary and organisers spent much of their time plotting a route that would cause the least disruption to the residents of Joburg, liasing with emergency personnel and other officials over road closures and security measures, and working closely with local organisations to inform people along the route of the impact of the race.
"Joburg residents can be proud that the event has been planned with close attention to detail and full cooperation between all parties involved," Wadvalla said.
Because of the sheer numbers of participants, organisers decided to opt for total road closures along the route. "No vehicles will be allowed to cross the roads of the race route while that road is closed," Wadvalla said.
Council officials, members of the metro police, representatives from the Johannesburg Roads Agency and from the Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works are working with race organisers to make sure that the race will take place as smoothly as possible.
Netcare 911 is the official medical sponsor and Netcare 911 and the Netcare Hospital Group will supply emergency medical care on the route and at the finish line.
On 16 November 450 Johannesburg Metro Police Department officials and 800 marshals from security companies will be posted along the route and be equipped with the information to assist affected residents and motorists and ensure the event runs as smoothly as possible.
Organisers have also made sure there will be alternative traffic routes available. A comprehensive interactive map is available on www.highveld.co.za.
Making sure that the information on the road closures gets out to motorists and other road users, the organisers have met with local church officials, organisers of taxi associations and managers of garages on the route to inform them about the race and the effect of the road closures. Forecourt television boards at garages on the route are flighting information about the cycle challenge and road closures.
More than 1.5-million flyers dealing with road closures have also been posted to residents of greater Johannesburg region with their electricity accounts.
The first road closures will start at 4.30am on 16 November, when the R55 from Allandale Road to Maxwell Drive will be closed. Other roads that will be closed include Woodmead Drive, the M1 southbound carriageway, Jan Smuts Avenue, Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, Homestead Avenue, Douglas Avenue, Witkoppen Road, Hans Strydom Drive, the N14, the R511 and the R562.
Both the M1 North and the Concrete Highway will offer alternatives to motorists on the day of the challenge.
Besides the website, a call centre, 0862 947 947, has been set up to deal with any problems prior to the event and on race day. Operators will be able to assist motorists and residents plan their route on the race day.
The organisers of the event will also undertake a clean-up operation after the event, with promises that the route will be cleared by midnight Sunday.
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