Gallery Update
GEORGE NEWS - Just over 1 000 athletes from across South Africa and other African countries took part in the annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC), held at Halfway Toyota near the Garden Route Mall on Sunday 18 February.
On Friday 16 February, more than 500 children from 14 local schools attended a pre-race schools event hosted by the George Municipality, Garden Route Mall and Nelson Mandela University (NMU), where children participated in various wheelchair racing games.
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The event educated the youngsters about the challenges faced by the disabled on a daily basis.
The organisers believe this year's race was an improvement on previous ones, with a new route introduced.
On the new route the participants travelled in the reverse direction of the of 2016 route.
A 42,2km, a 21,1km and a 10km race, as well as a 5km fun walk attracted hundreds of people from all backgrounds.
Martelize Brink from RSG talks to participants after the race.
Sponsors
The race was made possible by the generous sponsorship of R900 000 from Airports Company South Africa (Acsa).
While Acsa has been the main sponsor of the OCC since 2011, the George Municipality also contributed R250 000 and the Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport donated R50 000.
Toyota Halfway House in George provided the venue, as well as 2 000 bottles of water for the athletes.
Participants in the 42,2km race shortly after the start of the race.
Success
Race organiser Alewijn Dippenaar said the event was a huge success and he is happy with the outcome.
"The race was incredible! It was the first time it was held on a Sunday and the impact on traffic was minimal. We believe everything went well," he said.
He thanked the sponsors and everyone involved for making the event a success.
The winner of the main race was Ernst van Dyk, who came first in the 42,2km men Racing Chair category with a time of 1:29:15.
Margaret Banganjena from Zimbabwe won the women's 42,2km Racing Chair category, while the 42,2km Hand Cycle Female Para was won by Justine Asher.
Among the dignitaries who attended were the mayor of George, Melvin Naik, the Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, and Acsa representatives Senzeni Ndebele, Brenda Vorster and Humbulani Netshieneulu.
Read related articles:
- Results: OCC 2018
- Fun for all at OCC
- OCC in full swing
- Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge kicks off
- Get ready for OCC
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