More than 200 people took to the streets for the first ever ‘Festival of Cycling’ event run by Race Harborough and sponsored by Alden Electrical on Sunday 29th of March. The organisers hoped that it would offer something for everyone, but the bad weather proved too much for some.
The weather forecast predicted gusts of 80 mph and torrential rain for the following morning but luckily conditions weren’t quite as bad as that but were not ideal for some of the family friendly fun that had been planned. The bad weather did play a part in the slightly reduced number taking part however with about 40 people pulling out on the morning of the event. In the end, 100 participants took part in the 100km route and 65 participants cycled the 50km route, participants came from across Leicestershire & Northamptonshire, including England rugby captain Martin Johnson.
Routes began at Robert Smyth Academy and continued through local villages including Great Bowden, Foxton, Medbourne, Kibworth and Mowsley before returning back to Market Harborough.
“Both the adults events were ‘sportives’ so there is not a winner as such because of the way they are structured,” comments Amy Handford from Race Harborough. “Given the conditions, everybody who completed the distance is a winner in my view” she continued.
Other activities at the Robert Smyth race HQ included 25 free coaching sessions on cycling from Dean Barnett of Whizz Kids. The event also included a prize-laden family trail that was organised by Sustainable Harborough.
The organisers are quick to pay tributes to the ten volunteers who also had to brave the weather and supported the riders along the way. “Without them, the event couldn’t have taken place” says Amy. “The AdamSmile team at Lubenham village hall welcomed the wet and cold cyclists in with a hot cuppa and their homemade flapjack went down a treat!” Businesses from the local area were just as generous, with articles donated from local clothing store ‘The White Stuff‘ being handed out in a goody bag as the finishers crossed the line.
Many of the participants took to Facebook after the event, including cyclist James Stretton who commented: “Thoroughly enjoyed today, especially the last half the 100 with the wind finally behind us. Looking forward to next year, when hopefully the weather will be better. My thanks goes out to all the marshals and volunteers that helped support the event”.
In total the event raised over £1,200 for local charity AdamSmile which is fantastic. Race Harborough’s next event will be the Carnival of Running, taking place on June 13th on Carnival day, which will include the first half marathon in Market Harborough for over 3 decades – see www.raceharborough.co.uk for details.
