Entries are now open for what is deemed as South Africa’s toughest cycling event, with only 100 spaces available
Entries for the 2019 Ride for MRP Foundation are open. Image: MRP Foundation/ Tim Lubbe
The annual Ride for MRP Foundation will take place on December 1 and 2, 2019. This year is the 10th edition of the 606km ride with purpose from Secunda to Durban. Cyclists can enter individually or in teams of three.
The two-day stage ride aims to raise funds for MRP Foundation’s education and skills development programmes, currently impacting 64,000 learners across South Africa. Apart from riding for a good cause, to break the cycle of poverty and inequality in South Africa, cyclists will have the opportunity to engage with South African Rugby Legends, CEO’s, business people, professional athletes, as well as youngsters all hoping to achieve the event’s target.
This year, Leon Crous from Ruimsig, Gauteng, will be donning the prestigious yellow jersey, as he is riding the gruelling event for the eighth time. “I enjoy riding for a great cause with like-minded cyclists, to raise funds and awareness for youth empowerment and skills development programmes. I keep coming back because I know that through the Ride, we are making a difference,” said Leon.
2019 will see a one hundred-strong peloton, the biggest to date, aiming to raise much-needed funds for the non-profit organisation. The 2018 edition achieved its R2 million target with a peloton of just 70 riders.
Cyclists ride in different colour jerseys dependant on the number of times they’ve completed the challenge. First and second time cyclists ride in white, third and fourth time cyclists in pink, five times or six times in green, seven or more in blue and the yellow jersey is worn by the riders who have completed the event the most times. The Absa Red Jersey is worn by the cyclist who has raised the most funds from the previous edition.
Funds raised will be used to empower thousands of young South Africans through skills development and education programmes. Between 2007 and 2018 MRP Foundation’s Skills Development Programme, which prepares youth for the working world, trained 32,310 youth.
The school’s programme is currently active in 98 low-income schools in 4 provinces impacting 64,000 learners: Tongaat (20), Hammarsdale (20), QwaQwa (20), Soweto (20) and Mitchell’s Plain (18).
The 2019 Ride for MRP Foundation edition partners are: Absa, CMH Nissan Durban, SPAR, Maxed, Expand-a-Sign, City Logistics, Zapper, Trader Plus, Corruseal, KTM, Westville Cycle Club, Giant, Cyclesphere, SA Rugby Legends and Hirt and Carter.
Interested cyclists and teams are advised to enter immediately before the limited quota of 100 entries is reached. For more information regarding entry fees and terms and conditions for the ride, click here.
