Cycle Classic nets 1 000 entries

ORGANISERS of the annual The Namibian Model Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Classic have received an overwhelming 1 000 entries already, it was announced yesterday.

The event, which attracted close to 1 500 cyclists last year, is likely to have more entries this year when it takes centre stage on Sunday at the United Sports Grounds in Olympia. Race organiser Monika Hoffmann yesterday told The Namibian Sport that they were happy with the response of the public, whose entries had reached just over 1 000 by yesterday.”We are confident that the number will go much higher as people will still come for registration on Saturday.The day will suit them well as most will not be at work,” she said.Kevin Dawidow of Windhoek Pedal Power, the main organisers of the race, said he was also happy with the response shown this time around.He said people normally enter at the last minute and last year, with three days to go before the race, only about 600 entries had been received.Dawidow said other preparations are also going smoothly, with the goody bags expected to be all ready by today.He said there will also be exhibitors at the event this year, with cycle shops and other companies displaying their products like in previous years.On Saturday, a Kiddies’ Classic will be held for younger riders before the main race takes place on Sunday from 07h00.Registration on Saturday will be between 12h00 and 14h30 at the United Sports Grounds and the Kiddies’ Race starts at 15h00 at the same venue.The distances for this year will include a newly introduced 20-kilometre route, with the old 10-, 65- and 30-km routes also available.Last year, over N$80 000 was raised through the event, of which N$40 000 was given to charity.The event is jointly organised by the Rotary Club Windhoek and Windhoek Pedal Power.Race organiser Monika Hoffmann yesterday told The Namibian Sport that they were happy with the response of the public, whose entries had reached just over 1 000 by yesterday.”We are confident that the number will go much higher as people will still come for registration on Saturday.The day will suit them well as most will not be at work,” she said.Kevin Dawidow of Windhoek Pedal Power, the main organisers of the race, said he was also happy with the response shown this time around.He said people normally enter at the last minute and last year, with three days to go before the race, only about 600 entries had been received.Dawidow said other preparations are also going smoothly, with the goody bags expected to be all ready by today.He said there will also be exhibitors at the event this year, with cycle shops and other companies displaying their products like in previous years.On Saturday, a Kiddies’ Classic will be held for younger riders before the main race takes place on Sunday from 07h00.Registration on Saturday will be between 12h00 and 14h30 at the United Sports Grounds and the Kiddies’ Race starts at 15h00 at the same venue.The distances for this year will include a newly introduced 20-kilometre route, with the old 10-, 65- and 30-km routes also available.Last year, over N$80 000 was raised through the event, of which N$40 000 was given to charity.The event is jointly organised by the Rotary Club Windhoek and Windhoek Pedal Power.