GEORGE NEWS - The Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC) – a wheelchair race exclusively for the differently abled, which attracts athletes from all provinces and countries across the continent – takes place for the 19th time at Carpe Diem School in George on Saturday 15 October.
After the hiatus necessitated by Covid-19, residents and organisers are all set to welcome the who's who of chair racing back into George.
Contenders for top podium spots include OCC veterans Pieter du Preez, Stuart McCreadie and Justine Asher, as well as 15-year-old Zach Legward, who will tackle the 21km route for the first time, having already won five golds in the 10km race.
Festivities start on Friday 14 October, with pre-registration at Carpe Diem School from 11:00 to 18:00, and an official opening ceremony from 18:00 to 19:00.
Saturday is race day, with athletes lining up for the 21,1km and 42,2km half and full marathon courses from 06:30 onwards.
This is followed by the 07:30 line-up of 10km contenders, followed by the 10:00 start of the 5km race. Teams that compete in the Special Business Category start their 5km course at 10:15, and chief organiser Alewijn Dippenaar says this is where George business folk will be able to really show their mettle and community spirit.
"This fun event for fully abled participants is a special awareness category and everyone is invited! Each business keen to push a cart along the 5km route pays R3 000 for this privilege and excellent brand-exposure opportunity."
Dippenaar says there is still room for six businesses to grab the last available spots. All you need to do is bring a team that can push a kaskar for 5km. Branding on these man-powered go-carts serve as a magnificent marketing vehicle.
Routes of all distances start at Carpe Diem School in Long Street. Racers then turn left into Nortier and right into York Street.
At the traffic circle at the mountain side of York, participants turn right into Courtenay and then, once reaching CTM, left towards Groenkloof Woods, the turning point of the 21,1km and 42,2km routes.
"The same track will be followed back, around CTM and Toyota and then back on Courtenay Street," explains Dippenaar. Turning point for the 10km route is Casani Crescent off Courtenay Street, while the 5km turnaround is at PostNet in York Street.
Organisers are now making an urgent plea for additional volunteers to push wheelchairs in the 5km fun race, with at least 150 places still to be filled. Volunteers are also needed to help set up at the Carpe Diem race village on Friday from noon to 16:00 and on Saturday from 06:30 till noon, to help with athletes at the start and serve as marshals along the route. Finally, assistants are required to help serve lunch between 12:00 and 13:00.
Volunteers are requested to contact Shaun Butler on 083 701 8387 or at shaun.butler26@gmail.com – this service to the town of George and to differently abled athletes from all over Africa is guaranteed to provide great satisfaction to those who give their time and energy freely for a sterling cause.
Lunch will coincide with a winner ceremony at 12:30 on Saturday, and the event closes officially at 14:00.
Athletes in racing wheelchairs, adapted bicycles, hand cycles, basketball chairs and ordinary wheelchairs have made Outeniqua Chair Challenge the premier event for the differently abled on South Africa's sporting calendar.
Visit www.onlines.co.za for pre-registration and contact Alewijn Dippenaar on 082 457 5675 or dyndev@mweb.co.za with enquiries or to participate and click on www.georgeocc.co.za for additional information. The OCC once again enjoys generous support from George Municipality.
OCC Flyer for Businesses 15 October 2022
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
