Stakes raised in Tsogo Sun Amashova to ride for a cause
The Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic has seen a high number of charities entering the 2018 race and as a result a record number of participants will be officially racing for their special causes this year. Adding fuel to the social flame, the race organisers are offering for the first time ever the incentive of free stand space valued at R7000 each for charities at this year’s Expo when they sign up 20 riders or more to ride for their cause.
Race organiser Annie Batchelder says, “The greater involvement from charities this year demonstrates the ‘Spirit of Shova’ and the growth of the race’s social profile as a way to raise funds and awareness for worthy causes. Besides the multitude of charities participating, we also have people undertaking amazing feats and others who are defying the odds showing incredible courage and resilience.”
Entering a charity is simple and entails signing up ten participants. The charity will be loaded to the Amashova website where subsequent riders can sign up under the charity of their choice. Those competing for a charity will also be given a separate batch to start in.
Last year’s tandem race winners, Athlone Park residents Bryan Cusack and Brennan Anderson, will be defending their unbeaten title this year but with a twist. They will ride 600km from Secunda to Durban with the last 106km coinciding with the Tsogo Sun Amashova. Racing for 24 hours straight. The duo plans to secure several sponsors for the 600km epic ride to maximise the fundraising for The Cows’ ongoing support for the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa. The Cows’ fundraising efforts for CHOC have become well know through their involvement in other races around the country. “We know all about The Cows and the amazing work they do for CHOC, and we decided that we wanted to do something for them that would get noticed,” said Cusack.
Cows National Co-ordinator or ‘Daisy’, Iris Varty says, “We are extending an open invitation to any rider, from the super-fit serious cyclists planning to do the 160km or 106km races to the more chilled weekend warriors doing the 65km ride to join our Herd. That way you get to be part of the magic of this event, and make a real, meaningful difference to the lives of the kids battling cancer.”
Another charity participating this year in the Tsogo Sun Amashova is the #MadeForMore drive, which raises funds to assist differently abled sportsmen and women. Those who’d like to get involved can simply sign up 10 entrants and from there it is easy to enter more through the Amashova website. There are various ways to participate including volunteering to cycle with a differently abled rider, riding one of the race routes as an advocate for disability sport under the Made for More banner, by paying an athlete’s entry fee or contributing financially to the organisation. Managing Director, Julia van Zyl hopes to get riders of all abilities involved as well as those who’d like to ride for a cause.
Other charities entered into the Tsogo Sun Amashova include CANSA Active and the Bible Society. This year’s expo where charities and other great cycling and lifestyle vendors will be exhibiting, will be staged at the race pack collection venue at the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani Hotel. Batchelder says, “This offers increased marketing and exposure opportunities for our exhibitors, sponsors and charities.”
And in keeping with the ‘Spirit of Shova’, this year’s Amashova will be a backdrop for many people overcoming different challenges including 20-year-old Matthew Legemaate who is recovering from a heart and bi-lateral lung transplant. Legemaate will be racing to honour his heart and lung donor and, through his Hero777 initiative, to raise awareness about the critical need for more organ and tissue donors. Looking forward to the challenge he said, “It isn’t a race for me. It will be a personal achievement to do it.”
Mike Jackson, Tsogo Sun’s Director of Operations for KZN, said, “The Amashova race is a wonderful example of sport as a vehicle for change and we are incredibly proud to be part of an event that makes such a positive social impact in our communities.”
For more information on the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic, please visit www.shova.co.za.