Exciting Bikeathon Jamaica Challenge looms

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:The 2011 staging of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East Bikeathon Jamaica Challenge, which will be staged in Montego Bay on Sunday, May 15, is poised to become a phenomenal success as sponsorship funds are already at unprecedented levels.

Speaking at Tuesday's launch of the event at Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay, an excited Winsome Stewart, president of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East, said in excess of J$4 million had already been garnered, albeit that the event is over a month away.

"Through the negotiating skills of our coordinator, Janet Silvera and Associates, and their ability to see the 'bigger picture', we have already secured $4,140,000 in scholarships for our young beneficiaries over the next three years," said Stewart.

"This accomplishment, ladies and gentlemen, is unprecedented, as not one whistle has yet been blown or a bell sounded to start the races of Bikeathon Jamaica Challenge 2011."

grants to needy students

Following last year's event, which was won by national cyclist Leighton Anderson, more than $350,000 in scholarships and grants were awarded to needy tertiary and high school students.

Among the organisations that have come aboard this year with new scholarship packages are the following: Rainforest Seafoods - $750,000 for the next three years; Caribbean Producers - $750,000 over the next three years; businessman Fred Smith - $750,000 for the next three years; Chukka Caribbean - $240,000 for the next three years; George Thomas - $150,000 for the next three years to a needy student attending Cornwall College; two donors, who prefer to remain anonymous, have each contributed $750,000 over the next three years

"The business community has a social responsibility to assist in the building of communities," said Smith. "I would like to see projects like these spread out all over Jamaica because I believe in the one-Jamaica concept."

Unlike former years, when the bikeathon covered a course from Montego Bay to Duncans in Trelawny and back, new race director Rayne Russell has kept the distance, but has changed both the format and the course.

The new course, which covers a similar distance of 74 kilometres, will take the cyclists in four loops from the Whitter Village to the Sea Castles intersection, then loop around and head back west to the Whitter Village.

In the secondary events, the situation is as follows: Recreational riders category - 18.5k or one loop from Whitter Village to Sea Castle; the Kids Bike Ride will be confined within Whitter Village while the 5k run and walk will take place on a secured course in Ironshore.

The following are the main prizes and awards: Bikeathon pro first to third place (mixed), bikeathon amateur first to third place (mixed); bikeathon Masters first to third place (mixed); 5k run - first to third place (male and female); 5k walk - first to third only (mixed); kids bike race first to third place (girls and boys).