GEORGE NEWS - The Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC) is gearing up for its coming-of-age event, which is less than two weeks away. Earlier this year, it seemed that it would be a non-starter due to lack of finances, but the race was saved thanks to large donations by mainly the Garden Route Mall and it is set to take place on 15 March.
Carpe Diem School will again serve as race hub for the event, which features professional races over 10km, 21.1km and a 42.2km marathon, as well as a fun 5km event, which will be free for participants from George.
For this 21st iteration of the race, the starting line will feature stars of the South African Paralympic team, as well as racers from Ghana, Botswana, Namibia and other continental neighbours.
Over the years, the OCC has boasted participation of Paralympic medal winners Ernst van Dyk and Pieter du Preez, as well as Stuart McCreadie and local hero Shaun Butler.
International participation
This year will see athletes from Ghana, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia taking part.
For Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, three-time Paralympic contestant from Ghana, it will be the eighth time he takes part in the OCC. "I am looking forward to participating in the 42km marathon again," says Nkegbe, who has won both silver and gold in the OCC. He will be bringing along two team mates from Ghana.
From Ghana, Raphael Botsyo Nkegebe will bring along two team mates. Photo supplied
Jessie Mouton from Windhoek, Namibia, will be taking part for the fist time. As an administrator for the Namibian Paralympic committee, she will be bringing along five athletes who will take part in different categories.
Wilson Nyakoko, technical advisor for Wheelchair and Hand-cycle Racers of Zimbabwe, hopes to bring along six male and five female athletes from Zimbabwe, if they manage to collect the needed funding for their travel, accommodation, food and repairs to wheelchairs and hand cycles. All of these athletes, excluding one, have participated in the OCC before.
Thuso Rasetapa will be the only athlete from Botswana to take part.
The only race of its kind in the country, the OCC serves as a major economic and tourism boost for George. But most importantly, it is an occasion greatly anticipated by scores of members of South Africa's disabled community every year.
Details
Apart from Garden Route Mall, this year's race is supported by the Western Cape Premier's office, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, and Garden Route District Municipality, George Municipality, Master Cargo, Lancewood, Safari, Garden Route District Municipality, George Herald, AlgoaFM, and iX.
Entries close on 28 February and event registration takes place on 14 March from 11:00 to 18:00 at the Carpe Diem grounds.
Download entry forms at www.outeniquachairchallenge.co.za and contact Alewijn Dippenaar on 082 457 5675 or at dyndev@mweb.co.za for more information or to contribute towards OCC25.
Race director Alewijn Dippenaar invites Georgians, young and old, to join the 5km fun run in the name of community spirit. "The professional races over 10km, 21.1km and the 42.2km marathon attract world-class athletes, and this combination of fun and pro participants makes our George event a true flagship event for SA para-cyclists."
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