Newsday unite running, cycling on Republic Day

The second annual Newsday sponsored Republic Day International Cycling Classic on Friday,  September 24  is not only the latest fixture on an already eventful 2004 cycling season but is also an opportunity to unite cycling and running at King George V Park, St Clair for a good cause. This year there will be an increase in sponsorship to $60,000 up from $35,000, and prize money of  $8,000 will be at stake for the outstanding cyclists. And teams from Germany and the United States of America are scheduled to participate after competing in the Tobago International Cycling Classic from yesterday to September 19. Newsday, the People’s Newspaper, are a co-sponsor of the Tobago event, amplifying the classic’s profile and the promise of an excellent day of cycling on Republic Day. The region’s best riders, including Tobago-born Emile Abraham, the defending champion and newly crowned national champion Christopher Gill are listed to compete.

Gill was crowned recently on the same circuit and talented brothers Joshua and Adam Alexander are also expected to participate as they relish the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with their international peers. Managing-Director of Phillips Promotions, Michael Phillips acknowledged the public’s support of the inaugural event yesterday at a media conference to launch the Republic Day race. He noted that the “prime” prize last year was $1,000 and set a good precedent for the future of the classic. A new facet of the classic is the 5K Fun Run, offering $3,000 in prize money and from which all proceeds will go to the Newsday “Save the Street Children” Fund. This will provide the Marion House, Credo Foundation, Vision of Hope, Ferdeane’s Place and the Dar-ul-Amman with education opportunities. To this end, the classic has become more of a family-oriented event according to Newsday’s Senior Marketing Officer Diana Gopaulsingh who encouraged families yesterday to come out in support of the effort.

Gopaulsingh revealed that the Fund, which serves as an avenue to a new beginning for its beneficiaries, was established in 1999 to address the problem of street children and is affiliated with institutions that take care of these children. The 5K will begin at King George V Park, proceed up St Clair Avenue to Boissiere Village, over Long Circular Road, down Tragarete Road and will finish at King George V Park. The first 250 finishers will receive medals. The day begins at 1pm with a one-lap sprint aimed at attracting national sprinters and will be followed by races for cyclists classified as Category Four and Five, Juniors and Veterans — 40, 50 and 60 and Over; and a Kids event for six and Under to 14 and Under. This will be followed by the 30-lap main event and the 5K Fun Run at 3 pm which should finish in time for runners to witness the end of the feature. TSTT Mobile and National Flour Mills are also on board as sponsors.