DOZENS of local pupils geared up to take part in the exciting second Development Race Day Series at Lahee Park in Pinetown recently.
The schools that were represented on the day were Ashley Primary School, Benjamin Pine Primary School, Christianenburg Primary School, Zakhele Primary School and Kwamanzini Primary School.
The track was set on a flat rugby field and while the course was being set up, the avid cyclists were given a chance to practice and warm up. “When I was watching practice the children were flying around the course and loving the speed they could get out of there GT BMX Bikes. If there is something I have learnt it is that children, speed and racing go hand in hand and the looks on their faces when they are flying around the track just makes all the effort worth it,” said Tyrone Johns, KZN cycling
development officer.
Once each child had been given sufficient time to practice they were racked into their heats, lined up and were itching to start their races. Six racers took part in the U10 category and it was a massive hit as they raced as hard as they could. Ethan Hood (Benjamin Pine Primary School) took first place, closely followed by Malibonge Cele (Christianenburg Primary School) in second and Sanelise Zama (Ashley Primary School) in third place.
Next up was the U11 and U12 categories with cyclists from Ashley Primary School taking the top three positions, Arnold Sithole took first place followed by Sizwe Dlamini and Menzi Radebe. “Then it was down to the fastest guys for the day in the main event, in first place was Sihle Cele from Ashley Primary, second place Malaziwe Njapha (Christianenberg Primary School) and third place Ntuthuko Mbatha (Christianenburg Primary School),” said Tyrone.
There were fewer girl racers at the Lahee Park event and the girls competed against the boys. “One girl who did turn up and was not afraid to mix with the boys was Yasmine Brown (Ashley Primary School). She raced superbly and was definitely the best female racer of the day and received a gold medal for her efforts,” said Tyrone.
With everyone enjoying themselves it really was a wonderful day of fun filled action.
He thanked Reneesha Nath and Johan Wepener from the KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Sport and Recreation as well as Cycling South Africa and Cycling KZN for their support on the day.
