The Sunday News
A MASSIVE turnout is expected today at this year’s edition of the Tour de Falcon, an annual cycle race from Bulawayo to Esigodini.
Last year, 502 people took part and organisers have targeted more than that number this year.
Peter Ward, chairman of the organising committee, said registration was expected to pick up ahead of the closing date which was yesterday.
“Last year we had 502 people taking part and this year our target is to have more than that,’’ said Ward.
Falcon College headmaster Reginald Querl said they were excited to be holding the cycle race which is in its 12th year.
An electronic timing device has been acquired which will record each participant’s time taken to complete whatever race that they will compete in.
Elite riders are this year taking part in a 112 race which starts at the Falcon College gate to Bulawayo then back to the school. Other races of the day are the 54km off road from Bulawayo to Falcon College, the 52km social on the road for the same route, a 21km half marathon run, 10km and 5km runs. All the races from Bulawayo are starting off at Fazak Home and Hyper in Woodlands.
According to Ward, Lee McNab of Ekhaya Cycles has donated prizes worth $1 000 to be given out to the first and second place in nearly all the sections.
One of Zimbabwe’s top road racing cyclists Nkulumo Dube is the defending champion in the elite riders category.
A strong man competition is also taking place at Falcon College as part of the festivities on the day where muscled males will engage in all sorts of stunts to prove who is tougher.
The Tour de Falcon, a family fun day is held around the same time as the start of the much famed Tour de France which got underway yesterday.
