In total, 463 persons living with a disability took part on Saturday 14 September 2019, 150 of them competitive athletes.
Participants from as young as the 12-year-old Zach Rauch-Legward to an 86-year-old grandmother from all over South as well as from Zimbabwe and Ghana lined up for this wonderful occasion, the only event of its kind in Africa.
For the past 16 years these inspirational people had come together under the banner, “weare one.” To show the world that being confined to a wheelchair is not a death sentence, butmerely another way to live.
“It’s wonderful to see these athletes in action,” said race director, Alewijn Dippenaar.
The overall winner of this year’s the main event, the 42.2 km marathon, was Johan van Rensburg from Benoni, competing in his first OCC and first marathon exclusively for disabled athletes.
“I believe people must come together. It’s where you meet new people. It’s where people who have recently been involved in accidents can begin to compete. I would recommend that people come to the OCC. It’s worthwhile and the atmosphere is awesome,” said a jubilant van Rensburg in a post-race interview.
Rauch-Legward from Pretoria was the overall winner of the 10 km race for the 5th time.
“When you have a disability like me, my motto is that there is always a way around your disability, no matter what. If you really want to do something, you can do it. Always believe that.”
Dippenaar added that about 35 new sponsors had come on board, most notably the main sponsor the George Municipality without whose contribution the event would not have been possible.
Encouraged by the support of the local community, the race organisers have announced that the 2020 OCC will revert back to its original time slot in February.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS (All results available at Great Time)
Group/Category – Gold Winners
Name & Surname
Time
The Outeniqua Cycle Challenge
The 17’Th OCC, a wheelchair race which attracts athletes from all over the world, will take place in George on Saturday 14 September 2019!
A wheelchair race exclusively for disabled athletes!
And – every year it is getting bigger and better! The number of entries has increased dramatically, with disabled athletes and other persons in wheelchairs flocking to this annual event.
The Challenge is not only unique as being the first and only event exclusively for the disabled in South Africa, but it is staged in the picturesque town of George, in the heart of the spectacular Garden Route in the Western Cape, situated at the foot ofthe splendour of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Athletes in racing wheelchairs, adapted bicycles, hand cycles, basketball chairs and ordinary wheelchairs have made this into the premier sporting event for the disabled on the South African sporting calendar. It undoubtedly has the potential to develop into one of the best events of its kind in the world!
Apart from the George Municipality & George Business Chamber, Lancewood and the Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport is supporting the event. Halfway Toyota is the venue host for the event.
Contact Details:
Press release on behalf of the Road Race Foundation: interface by goji
mimi finestone | mimi@gojipr.net | +27 84 583 3144
