Superheroes ride with purpose

THE 2019 Ride for MRP Foundation, which started in Secunda on Sunday, 1 December, came to an end on Monday as riders made their way into Durban.

Although the 606km ride demanded intense mental and physical energy from its 74 participants, this year’s ride with purpose was also filled with plenty of hero-moments.

The tenth edition of the two-day stage ride from Secunda to Durban gathered together cyclists from local businesses, school learners, business executives and accomplished athletes including triathlete Mhlengi Gwala and mountain biker Mboneni Ngcobo, as well as Rugby Legends Joel Stransky, Jeremy Thompson, Wayne Fyvie and Warren Brosnihan, to raise funds and awareness for the MRP Foundation.

In addition to her fervent fundraising efforts (R19,000 thus far), Zisandele Mkhize, one of the 14 women who took part in the event, was awarded the ‘ABSA Rider of the Day’ and R25,000 towards her fundraising efforts after displaying an impressive amount of perseverance on day one of the ride. Despite dislocating her toe she pushed through the pain to complete the second stage.

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This year’s ‘King of the Hill’ went to the talented Unathi Nxumalo, a 17-year-old rider from Thandaza High School in Hammarsdale. The first-time cyclist was the first person to reach the top of the infamous Warthog Hill, part of Griffin’s Hill Mountain Pass, near Mooi River, a punishing 3,76km climb with a 244m elevation.

Unathi is part of the KZN Cycling Development Team and was sponsored to ride the event by Beaver Creek.

One of this year’s most heartfelt moments was when past Dusi2C winner, Mboneni Ngcobo, received a Giant Contend bicycle from first-time cyclist, Wim Hollander. Wim rode in honour of Wim’s late stepfather, Paul Els, who rode the event last year but tragically lost his life in a cycling accident soon after the 2018 Ride. Paul raised a phenomenal R118,000 for the ride, the second highest among the peloton, and received the Giant Contend bicycle for his fundraising events.

Karen Wells, Head of MRP Foundation, thanked the cyclists and partners for their commitment to raising funds and awareness for the MRP Foundation.

The public can still support the riders in their mission to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation through EFT, Paygate and Zapper donations. Back your favourite rider at: https://www.mrpfoundation.org/RideEvent/Back-Your-Rider.aspx