By Tshepiso Mogotsi
ENTRIES for the gruelling Pick 'n Pay/94.7 Cycle Challenge that winds its way through many of Johannesburg's suburbs, including Braamfontein, close at the end of the month.
The cycle race, into its seventh year, will be held on Sunday 16 November, with the cut off date for entries being 29 September. Participants can register online at visit www.cyclechallenge.co.za or get entry forms from their nearest cycle store, Pick 'n Pay shops and the race office.
This year organisers expect more than 20 000 cyclists to take part. "It has been growing at an unbelievable rate since the first race in 1997."
Races range from the men's elite 180km event - for professionals - to the shorter distances for the weekend wanderers. Prize money for the elite race has been increased this year to R15 000, from last year's R3 600. Prizes will be given in more than 20 categories. In the division for disabled cyclists there are two purses of R1 650 for each of the winning man and woman.
The Cycle Challenge now forms part of the seeded events for cyclists wanting to qualify for next year's Cape Argus/Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour. "The challenge has now been selected as an official Liberty Cycling Seeded Series event," said one of the organisers, Samantha Durkin of Harford Sports Promotion.
Routes around Johannesburg will be closed off to motorists for the duration of the race, with marshals keeping a close eye on the proceedings. The race, which begins at Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, and finishes at the AA Kyalami Racetrack, will take in 17km of the M1 motorway and 16km of the N14. It will also pass over the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein.
"This year's race will use a tweaked version of the 2002 route, after the cyclists raved about it," said organiser Tanya Harford. The organisers planned to make the route safer, with less impact on the flow of traffic.
The entry fee is R160 and participants who still wish to enter can do so online, by post or by hand. Postal entries can be sent to Suite 94.7, Private Bag X23, Gallo Manor, 2052. Hand delivered entries can be given in at the race office, 3 East River Road West in Bryanston.
The winner of the early entry competition, which closed on 29 August, will also be announced on the day. Early entrants are in line for a Bianci SL Veloce 10-speed bicycle worth R25 000 as well as a cycling kit signed by Jan Ulrich, the winner of the 1997 Tour de France.
For more information on the race, including the route, location of the water tables, and rules visit www.cyclechallenge.co.za or contact the race office on 011 463 2177.
