Like its oft advertised catch phrase, Digicel’s annual Cancer Awareness Cycle Road Race just got bigger and better….and richer.
So cyclists and cycling enthusiasts should begin to prepare for the fourth staging of the Digicel Breast Cancer Awareness road race which will be held on October 25 with ‘bigger, better’ prizes up for grabs.
During the formal launch of the annual event at the company’s Barrack Street, Kingston head office on Thursday, Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Executive, Louanna Abrams disclosed that the top wheelsman will pedal off with the champion’s trophy and a whopping $250,000.
This ties the biggest purse a cyclist will be riding for in local cycling history.
Orville Hinds pocketed the hefty sum after winning the third edition of the race last year.
Abrams also told media operatives that a record $1.3M in cash prizes will be awarded in total to the top finishers in the senior, junior, veteran and female categories.
“At Digicel we always try to do things bigger and better and we are very interested in fighting breast cancer.”
She then added “We are happy to be launching this event today.”
Meanwhile, Team Gillette Evolution (TGE) has been identified as the club tasked with coordinating the race’s activities. Its president Keith Fernandes disclosed that this year’s event which will attract the cream of Guyana’s cyclists will be held over two stages.
“We want to give Digicel maximum exposure so we will be staging the event at West Demerara, the city and on the East Coast of Demerara” said Fernandes.
Stage one which is approximately 40 miles, starts at 7am at Schoonord, proceeds to Bushy Park, Parika and returns to the point of origin for the finish. The second stage (approximately 40 miles also) rolls off at 12:30hrs from Abary and will end on Carifesta Avenue after the riders complete two laps around the outer circuit of the National Park.
The TGE president noted that he is looking forward to a safe race and future collaborative endeavours with the telecommunication giant.
In brief remarks, Medical Director of the Guyana Cancer Institute, Dr. Ravindranauth Ischlangod commended Digicel and added that he welcomed the collaborative effort as the society continues its fight for cancer awareness this month under the theme `Nothing Beyond Us’.
On behalf of the GCF, its president, Horace Burrowes, thanked the representatives of the communications company and also mentioned that he is looking forward to a successful staging of the event.
This year’s race is a collaborative effort of Digicel, Team Gillette Evolution and the GCF. Proceeds of the race along with a substantial donation from Digicel will go towards the Guyana Cancer Institute at the completion of the event. See you there. (Emmerson Campbell)
