July 26, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
WITH the breathtaking view of the Nelson Mandela Bridge and the towering buildings of the city's CBD in the background, the 2006 Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, dubbed Joburg's toughest race, was launched amid pomp and fanfare at a ceremony held at The Gallery in Braamfontein.
This year's race, on Sunday, 19 November, will be an event to remember, said master of ceremonies, John Walland of 94.7 Highveld Stereo.
The Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge will go over the Nelson Mandela Bridge into the CBD
"The Cycle Challenge is celebrating 10 years and a staggering 30 000 cyclists are expected to enter this year's race. We are predicting that in the next few years, a total of 40 000 cyclists will participate in the event."
The 2006 Cycle Challenge route will remain the same as the past three years to give entrants "an opportunity to compare and strive to better their times, year on year".
The 94.7km race – sponsored by Pick 'n Pay and 94.7 Highveld Stereo – will start at the intersection of Woodmead and Van Reenen drives in Woodmead.
To get more cyclists away early, the first group will depart at 5.30am, and the last group will leave around 10.15am.
The cyclists will race through Parktown, over the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein, up Jan Smuts Avenue and through Diepsloot to finish at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand.
Money from the event goes to various charities, and, to start the ball rolling, a cheque for R200 000 was presented to Homeless Talk Preschool, represented by Homeless Talk's Phyllis Rardford.
"Pick 'n Pay views this event as a social responsibility challenge," said the company's managing director Jonathan Ackerman. "The Cycling Challenge raises money for the needy around Joburg and 77 percent of the net profit goes to social responsibility. This cheque is only the beginning of things to come. As part of celebrations of the 10th year of the Cycle Challenge, we are going to make a big announcement later this year concerning the race."
A video of the inception of the Cycle Challenge showed 4 500 cyclists taking part.
In 1997, 94.7 Highveld Stereo together with Midrand Country Cyclists, decided to organise a cycle race for Gauteng and the idea was to create a "world-class participation sporting event that would touch the heart of Joburg and capture the city's competitive temperament".
94.7 Highveld Stereo's station manager Ravi Naidoo and Pick 'n Pay's Jonathan Ackerman present a cheque to Homeless Talk's Phyllis Rardford
In 1999 Pick 'n Pay became the naming rights sponsor and in their first year of involvement, 10 500 cyclists took part in the biggest event in Johannesburg.
As years went by, it became clear that the Cycle Challenge was "a race for the City of Joburg, through the streets of Joburg, by the people of Joburg".
The Johannesburg Roads Agency, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the Gauteng department of public transport joined in as participants grew and it became necessary to partially close some roads.
In 2005 the Cycle Challenge welcomed over 28 000 cyclists and this year promises more entrants, according to organisers.
A total of R200 000 in prize money is up for grabs.
Those wishing to enter the race can register online on Highveld or contact the race office on 011 463 2743 for more details.
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