Big interest in Amashovashova
4 May 2006
Although it only takes place on 22 October, entries are already pouring in for the Pick 'n Pay Amashovashova National Classic cycle race, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year.
"It has been an earlier than usual start for entries," says Annie Batchelder, organiser of the event.
"We have been working very hard on the race to take it to the next level, and our hard work is seeing early results."
Two races
Besides the 106-kilometre main race, there is also a 40-kilometre race, starting in Hillcrest and also finishing at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World.
Both events enjoy complete road closure for the entire duration of the event, which makes it one of the safest races in South Africa.
"The 40-kilometre event is really growing fast, especially for families," reckons Batchelder. "We doubled our entries from 2004 to 2005 and, because it is the twentieth anniversary of the race,
early signs are that we could double those numbers again."
Family-friendly
Organisers have designed the 40-kilometre event to be really family-friendly. The race starts at an altitude of 650 metres and drops to sea level over the route, making it a very pleasant ride for all.
"We are encouraging cyclists to enter early as we might have to cap numbers of the 40-kilometre race," warns Batchelder. "We really don't want to disappoint. Seeding will only take place shortly before the race, so cyclists entering the race now do not have to worry about their seeding being affected."
Along with the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour and the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, the Amashovashova is one of the biggest mass participation cycling events in South Africa.
Unique element
A unique element of the race is that it is one of three sports major events that take place between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, the
other two being the Comrades Marathon and the Dusi Canoe Marathon.
The race route follows a similar route to the Comrades Marathon but, in order to make the distance as close to 100 kilometres as possible, the famous Polly Shorts is bypassed in favour of a climb out of Pietermaritzburg, along Alexander Road and up Fox Hill to Thornville.
Previous winners of the race include some of the best known names in South African cycling. The course record holder, Malcolm Lange, who has won over 300 races during his career, has won the event five times. Willie Engelbrecht, winner of the bronze medal in the road race at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, claimed victory four times.
Overseas-based star Robbie Hunter, who rides for Phonak, has twice finished runner-up.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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