Three decades of riding for sight

It will be the 30th edition of this popular and enduring road cycling event which is being hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni.

The event will take place on February 18 at the Boksburg City Stadium, Jubilee Road, Boksburg and entries are now open at www.cycleevents.co.za.

Retina South Africa stages the event in partnership with Dis-Chem, the City of Ekurhuleni, Springs Wheelers, Hamnet Emergency Communications, ASM Safety Consultants, Benoni Red Cross, BestMed Road Rangers, East Rand Cycling and dozens of specialist volunteers.

The 116km Super Classic is a seeding event for the Cape Town Cycle Tour (2019) and the 62km Vitathion Challenge allows novice cyclists to experience the thrill of a major cycling event.

Over the last 30 years, this event has raised over R10-million for research to find treatments for inherited retinal blindness such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, Usher Syndrome, Macular Dystrophies and related retinal conditions.

To thank cyclists for their support, Retina South Africa will award one lucky online pre-entry a cash prize of R30 000.

Other lucky draw prizes to the value of R100 000 will be drawn at the event.

Cycling South Africa (CSA) racing category winners get a slice of R82 000 worth of prizes and the donation draw prizes are a fantastic seven-night holiday at Sugar Beach, Mauritius, with airfares or a seven-night stay at Michamvi Sunset Bay resort in Zanzibar.

All donations in this competition will be matched by the Dis-Chem Foundation and the proceeds go to assisting needy families with children affected by retinal blinding conditions.

Online entrants can order an anniversary edition T-shirt.

Entries close at midnight on February 4.

All pre-entries will receive a Dis-Chem goodie bag.

Registration will take place at Cyclelab, Lynwood, Pretoria on February 15, at Cyclelab Fourways on February 16 and at the venue on Saturday and Sunday.

The event starts and finishes at the Boksburg City Stadium and the scenic route encompasses the farmlands and rolling hills of Suikerbosrand near Heidelberg.

The route profile, map and sponsors’ details are all available on the entry website.

This event is one of the few events catering for the CSA licensed juveniles in the u-15 and u-17 categories on the 62km event.

All licensed categories are under the control of Cycling South Africa’s registered referees and the chief commissure is the experienced Koos van Tonder.

Organisers are making every effort to ensure a safe and pleasant ride for all the participants.

MySOS, a dynamic safety app, ensures that the location of every cyclist can be pinpointed by the safety crew with dozens of sweeps, paramedics and race officials only minutes away from any emergency.

Although there is only partial road closure, the majority of the route is on double-lane provincial roads or quiet backcountry tarred roads, all in excellent condition.

The Ekurhuleni metro will ensure that all roads are in good condition with excellent traffic control.

More information on the race is available at www.retinasa.org.za or www.dischem.co.za.

Alternatively, call the Cycle Events race office on 087 820 4210.

Follow us on these platforms:

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za