Beitbridge to launch cycling race

Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
BEITBRIDGE Municipality will hold a cycling race in December to market the town as an investment destination.

Town Clerk Loud Ramakgapola said they were targeting 200 cyclists for the inaugural Beitbridge Cycling Race.
Ramakgapola said they drew inspiration from the annual Tour De Tuli biking expedition, a premier mountain bike adventure held in the Greater Mapungubwe Trans-frontier Conservation Area (GMTFCA).

The mega-park is made up of national parks, communal lands and cultural sites from Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, the GMTFCA covers the Beitbridge district, mostly on its western side.

“This is a rare sport in this part of the country. The council is launching this event to market and promote the town as well as the health and well-being of the residents of Beitbridge,” said Ramakgapola.

He said 200 cyclists were expected to participate in this maiden event, which is aimed at promoting the Beitbridge tourism industry.

Ramakgapola said the race route will include the Beitbridge-Bulawayo highway up to the (Malala) tollgate and back to town, although it hasn’t yet been finalised.

The race, Ramakgapola said, is a joint initiative with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation to encourage participation in sport and recreation activities in the Beitbridge district.

“In fact, this event will offer a unique and friendly sporting experience for the people of Beitbridge hence the event is open to all age groups,” he said.

The registration fee, date, time and course distance will be announced in due course. – @tupeyo