Big turnout expected at The Namibian Cycle Classic

A record turnout can be expected when Namibia’s biggest family sporting event, the Namibian Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Classic takes place this weekend.

This year’s event will consist of three separate races for the road bikes, mountain bikes and the Kiddies Classic, while runners and walkers will also compete for the first time.

According to the organisers, a record turnout can be expected.

“I was told that the entries have been streaming in and that it will be by far the biggest single sporting event in Namibia,” the race organiser Danny Meyer of Windhoek Rotary Club said yesterday.

“I expect more than 1 500 participants, and that’s excluding the Kiddies Race so altogether I think we are edging closer to the 2 000 mark” he said.

The weekend’s activities start with the mountain bike race and the running and walking events which all start at 07h00 at SKW in Olympia on Saturday.

The MB race will cover three distances, over 20km, 30km and 50km and will have a controlled start at the northern entrance to SWK in Sean McBride Road.

The 10km run and 5km fun run and walk will start at the same time, at the southern entrance to SKW.

The Kiddies Classic will follow, with registration starting at SKW at 10h00, while the race itself starts at 12h30. The entry fee is N$50 per cyclist and any type of bicycle or scooter is permitted. There will be two different routes – one for toddlers and infants, and one for older children. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to accompany the children, and all entrants will receive a goodie bag. All finishers will receive a finisher’s token as well as a beverage.

On Sunday the road race takes place, once again starting at 07h00 at SKW and then going through town and heading north onto the Western Bypass.

Cyclists can compete in one of four categories, over 20km, 30km, 60km and 100km.

Last year, Nolan Hoffmann of South Africa was the 100km male winner but by yesterday it was not sure if he will be back to defend his title. Amongst the local favourites are Xavier Papo and Jojo Hamunyela amongst the men, and Michelle Vorster and Michelle Doman amongst the women.

In addition to medals and prize money for winners in the various cycling, running and walking events and distance categories, all entrants get a goody bag sponsored by Pupkewitz Megabuild and finishers receive a Cycle Classic token and beverage.

Another novelty this year is that the male and female cyclists in both the 50km MTB race and the 100km road race will start separately, five minutes apart, to avoid bunching.

To cater for families and friends supporting the cyclists, runners and walkers, entertainment in expanded form will be provided on both days of The Namibian Pick n Pay Cycle Classic. It includes lucky draws with many prizes up for grabs and for the youngsters the Bakers Kids Zone and Code Colouring-in Area.

The expo facet of Cycle Classic includes first time exhibitor eyeBIKE, an organisation that promotes road safety among motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Rotary has again partnered with SKW for a full catering service thereby ensuring that this year’s edition of The Namibian Pick n Pay on Saturday and Sunday is a family outing not to be missed.

The Namibian Pick n Pay Cycle Classic is the biggest fundraiser of Windhoek Rotary Club and Meyer said they expect to raise at least N$250 000 through companies that sponsor water points.

Rotary’s two technical partners, Windhoek Pedal Power and Windhoek Harriers, retain participants’ entry fees. They use a portion of the funds to run programmes, including youth sport development programmes.

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