AS PART of its annual Cancer Awareness Month contribution, Digicel Guyana has launched the 4th edition of its cycle road race, billed for October 25.This year’s race features two legs unlike previous years which only featured one.
The first leg will commence at 08:30hrs from Schoonord on the West Coast of Demerara, proceed to Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo and return to the place of origin, covering approximately 40 miles, according to organisers.
The ladies and veterans will turn back at Uitvlugt.
Leg two, which commences at 12:30hrs will see the seniors and juniors depart from Abary and the ladies and veterans start at Perseverance halfway tree and will pedal to the National Park where they will make two laps around the outer limits before seeing the chequered flag.
The first six top spots will be awarded, with the winner of the seniors carting off $150 000, top junior $80 000 and the top female and veteran $50 000 each as Digicel has air-marked over $1.3M for the one-day event.
During the launch, president of Team Evolution/Gillette Cycle Club, the organising body indicated, “What the spectators can expect is with the two laps you can have a chance to sort of mark your guy who you want to see win and if he is in the front group and they go around twice, it’s going to be an exciting finish.”
Guyana Cycling Federation president Horrace Burrowes thanked Digicel for their support of cycling and the obvious development of athletes.
Cancer Institute representative Dr Ravindranauth Ichlanggod pointed out that “cycling is a good form of exercise and exercise keeps cancer away. So it carries the message that: at least do some physical activity, keep yourself fit; eating healthy food is all part of choosing an icon like cycling as one of our activity.”
Louanna Abrams Senior Sponsorship and Events Executive of Digicel expressed the company’s pleasure at being involved in the event for a 4th consecutive year, adding “we at Digicel are pleased to be a part of this event especially in this month of cancer awareness. We see it, as Dr Ichlanggod mentioned earlier, a part of a healthier society’