Little heroes on balance bikes will tackle the Glide & Ride Cup on 4 March. © Nicolette Tostee / Mr Price Foundation
THE GLIDE & RIDE CUP is ready for lift-off at the JumpStart Challenge! This mini ‘grand prix’ will see kids on balance bikes zooming around a safe race track at Holla Trails in Ballito. It’s for children aged 2.5 to 4.5 years old, ensuring that the JumpStart Challenge 2023 offers something exciting for every member of the family.
The JumpStart Challenge is a hybrid fitness event, giving entrants the option to ride, run or walk a range of distances, either virtually or physically. The virtual challenge can be completed anywhere in the world from 27 February to 5 March. The weekend of 4 and 5 March is the big physical event at Holla Trails, with mountain bike events on 4 March and run/walk events on 5 March.
The Glide & Ride Cup is on Saturday, 4 March. Three to four little ones will race at a time; and a series of heats will lead to a grand finale and a big winner. Kids can bring their own balance bikes or use a bike provided by Glide & Ride.
Funds raised by this awesome event will go directly to Mr Price Foundation’s JumpStart programme, to empower youth with life skills and work readiness training, and connecting them to work opportunities in the greater retail value chain. Youth unemployment is at an alarming level in South Africa – yet in the past five years, 22 000 youth have been empowered by JumpStart, with 52% going on to achieve employment.
“My heart lies with youth unemployment. The only way we are going to get this country moving is by creating jobs for the youth. South Africa is the land of opportunity but we have to make things happen ourselves,” said Ian Wilson, owner of Glide & Ride.
Glide & Ride coach, 26-year-old Themba Mthembu, knows first-hand how difficult it is to crack the job market. When he was unable to find work, he began volunteering at Summerhill Orphanage in 2021. That’s when Glide & Ride discovered him and developed him as a coach in 2022.
Glide & Ride coach Thando Siyasi will do the virtual 95km JumpStart Challenge at Holla Trails ahead of his fourth Absa Cape Epic. © Pierre Tostee / Mr Price Foundation
“It is very, very hard to get jobs. A lot of youth are stay-at-homes with no jobs, even though they have their matric or a university degree. The opportunities are just not there. My advice is to keep trying to learn new things and new skills. Don’t give up, even if it feels hopeless,” said Themba.
The JumpStart Challenge 2023 has a hero theme – because youth are heroes to us when they keep pushing to learn new skills and gain employment. That’s how they break the cycle of poverty and inequality. That’s why you’re a hero too, when you support the JumpStart Challenge!
There will be awesome giveways at Holla Trails, including prizes for the best hero dress-up, 500 branded caps, participation medals, goodies and give-aways – and really big surprizes!
So, grab your gear – and most colourful hero dress up – and get active for a great cause.
- Enter online or register in person at Holla Trails before 8am.
- Event time: 8:30-11am.
- Entry: R80/child.
- Age limit: 2.5 to 4.5 years old.
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