OVER 50 cyclists from 12 cycle clubs across Guyana have confirmed their participation in this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Cycle Race. The fourth edition of the Cancer Awareness cycle road race was launched on Thursday, October 14, at the Fort and Barrack Street office. The race, which is scheduled for Sunday, has an added leg this year, making it a two-stage race, rather than the previous years’ one stage.
The first leg will commence at 08:30hrs at Schoonord on the West Bank of Demerara, proceed to Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo and return to Schoonord, covering approximately 40 miles. Ladies and veterans will ride to Uitvlugt then return to the point of origin.
Leg two will commence at 12:30hrs on the same day and will see the seniors and juniors depart from Abary, East Coast Demerara. The ladies and veterans will start at Perseverance Halfway Tree and ride to the National Park, where they will make two laps around the inner circuit of the National Park for the finish.
The first six top spots will be rewarded with cash prizes and trophies. The winner of the seniors will cart off $150 000, the top junior $80 000 and the top female and veteran $50 000 each, as Digicel has earmarked over $1.3M for the one-day event.
Keith Fernandes, whose cycle club Team Gillette Evolution is coordinating this year’s race, has contended that he expects a clean, fair and competitive race. He further mentioned that registration begins at 06:00hrs and his club has committed to ensuring that the race is properly coordinated.
Louanna Abrams Senior Sponsorship and Events Executive of Digicel, expressed the company’s pleasure at being involved in the event for the 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 a part of a healthier society.”
She added that Digicel will be donating all the proceeds from the registration to the Cancer Society, in addition to a sizeable donation, all in the fight against breast cancer.”
This donation will help the Cancer Society take the fight to the hinterland regions of Guyana where it is difficult for persons to travel to Georgetown for screening, testing and treatment. In addition to the race, pink T-shirts will be distributed along the route to onlookers in keeping with the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This year’s event will serve as a warm-up for the five-stage tour of Guyana, formerly labelled `Ride for Life’.
However, this year, the race has been branded Tour of Guyana and already, several international cyclists have indicated that they will be a part of the event, which is billed for October 29 to November 1.
Last year’s winner of the event was veteran rider Robin Persaud.