Cyclists win cash prizes at inaugural race
The event had two distances which started at the Boulevard Centre in Shelly Beach - the 90km at 06:30 and the 45km at 07:00.
Cyclists from around the country came out in numbers to participate in the inaugural South Coast Cycle Tour hosted by MD24 last Sunday.
Welcoming the riders were the organisers, Dr Alstynn Pillay, his wife Marlini and the former Ray Nkonyeni Municipality mayor Nomusa Mqwebu.
The event had two distances which started at the Boulevard Centre in Shelly Beach – the 90km at 06:30 and the 45km at 07:00.
The 90km race saw riders head south to Seaslopes Road, past Margate Country Club and back down Seaslopes, riding along Marine Drive, north-bound, passing Shelly Beach and heading towards Hibberdene, where they turned around using the same route, back to St Michaels beach to finish the race.
For the 45km event, riders headed towards Port Shepstone, turned around near Anerley and headed back to St Michaels beach.
Dr Pillay said the tour did not only raise funds which will be donated to various projects on the South Coast, but was also an opportunity to grow tourism on the coast.
“We had 198 entries for both races and most of the riders came on Friday for the event, staying at over 100 accommodation facilities in the area. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Lower South Coast SPCA, Tidy Towns and a few feeding schemes will be receiving sizable amounts,” said Pillay.
He said there has been positive feedback from the riders. “We are looking forward to easily reaching 500 riders next year which will mean a boost for the South Coast’s economy.”
The race ended in a five-man breakaway and the top three riders were awarded prize money. In first place was Joshua Johnson who won R6000, second was Joshua Paul with R4000 and Tyronne White won R1500.
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