HUNDREDS of cyclists made the trip to the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre to take part in this year’s Halfway Toyota/Illovo Sugar Challenge, organised by the South Coast Hospice, last Sunday.
Hospice decided to host the race again this year because of the positive response it received last year. The race, which stretched across five sugar cane farms, saw the community come together to show support for South Coast Hospice.
In the 12km women’s race first place went to Dominique Koekemoer in 1:12:31, second to Stephanie Koekemoer in 1:13:29 and third to Tamara Venter in 1.21.33.
The 12km men’s race was won by Daniel van Schalkwyk in 0.55.37, second was Jesse Fortune in 0.57.23 and third place went to Nicholas de Bruin in 0.59.12.
In the women’s 25 km race, first place was secured by Megan Bircher in 1.44.46, second place by Marlise Joubert in 1.45.07 and third place by Marina Blignaut in 1.48.26.
The men’s 25km race saw Simon Rollo came first in 1.21.53. In second place was Aaron Wood in 1.27.03 and in third place Waldo Kotze in 1.27.04.
The women’s 45km race was won by Nataschka Mowat in 2.19.25, from second placed Candice Parker-Dennison in 2.49.29 and Michelle Speirs in 2.52.15.
In the men’s 45km race Daniel Paul came first in 2.00, with second place going to Zauco van der Berg in 2.05.46 and third place to Wesley Parker-Dennison in 2.05.46.
Teegan Parker-Dennison was first in the junior girls race in 3.31.41, and first place in the junior boys was snapped up by Joshua Fouche in 2.32.24.
First in the senior girls race was Candice Parker-Dennison in 2.49.29, and first in the senior boys race was Wesley Parker-Dennison in 2.05.46.
First sub-veteran women was Michelle Speirs in 2.52.15, and first sub-veteran man was Bradley Venter in 2.06.03.
First veteran woman was Nataschka Mowat in 2.19.25. and first veteran men was Daniel Paul 2.00.22.
David Davie, who finished in 02.29.38, received the masters prize, and Charles Stander, who finished the race in 02.29.38, received the grand masters prize.
In the 5km race Chelsea Rider was the first girl home, followed by Taylor Payne and Caitlyn Peckham, while Seth Bezuidenhout, Thomas Boschoff and Sivux Quma were the first three boys.
“Events such as this mountain bike challenge really show how our community pulls together to aid South Coast Hospice,” said Di van Dyk CEO of South Coast Hospice in thanking the community for the ongoing support in making this event a success.
The day wasn’t just about cycling as there were also stalls where people could buy goodies and refreshment and raffle draws.
