Popular musician to take part in wheelchair challenge
01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author
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Wheelchair-bound athletes from across South Africa and abroad are making their way down to George on Saturday (February 15) for the 12th annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge.
The event - which starts at the Mountview Resort and includes a 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km and a 5km race - is set to attract more than 1000 participants this year and has become a highlight on the George sport calendar.
Event director Ansie Swart said the event was supported by athletes from all walks of life - from popular musicians to local grannies.
Afrikaans singer Mathys Roets, who has been confined to a wheelchair since he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in 2009, has entered the 10km race for the second time. Joining him in this category is SA wheelchair rugby player Koos Jacobs. His teammate and fellow Wheels500 member Bennie Erasmus will be taking on the half marathon.
A surprise entry came from the Rosemoor Home for the Aged. Passiena Jansen may be 99 years old, but she is definitely not afraid of a challenge and is the oldest participant in this year's race.
"We also have a number of overseas athletes taking part. We received nine entries from Zimbabwe, one from Ghana, four from the United Kingdom, one from Germany and one from Australia," Swart said.
World champion Ernst van Dyk, who has been at the start line since the first race 12 years ago, will also make his way down to George again to defend his title in the handcycle category.
Swart added that without the support of sponsors this event would not have been possible. The biggest sponsors are Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), the George Municipality, Cell C, VTS Communications, Mr Ice and Pepsi, Kempton Truck Hire, Kempston Motor Group, Safari, Lancewood, Millers, George Orthopaedic Services, ER24 and the Garden Route Mall.
Algoa FM, along with Group Editors and Die Burger, are this year's media sponsors.
As a tribute to former director and founder of the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge Esther Watson, who lost her battle with Leukemia late last year, video footage of her life and her support for the disabled will be shown on a big screen at the start of the race.
