21-10-2014: Peter Taylor to cycle barefoot at Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge for SA Guide Dogs
Marathon runner, Peter Taylor will be cycling barefoot at this year’s Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge to raise money for the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind.
Peter has been running shoeless for 26 years, and will be Riding for a Purpose for the first time at Joburg’s biggest annual cycling event, The Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge, which will take place on Sunday, 16th November 2014.
He will be joined by over 100 riders that have signed up for the SA Guide-Dogs for the Blind, which aims to provide the gift of independence, mobility and companionship to someone who is unable to see well or not at all.
"I will be wearing a Guide Dog shirt and raising awareness for the SA Guide-Dogs,” says the 57-year-old from Rondebosch. “I wish to collect as much money as possible.”
Peter ran his first marathon in 1984 but admits that he was far from properly prepared for that. “My training consisted of two 8km runs, one 15km run and then a 21km run one week before the marathon. At 30km into the race, I was absolutely finished, so I decided to take my shoes off and walk to the finish. The next minute I was running again and from then onwards, I have always run barefoot.”
It was in 1986 that Peter decided to start raising funds for charity. “I thought, hey, I can also do some fundraising, since I already run barefoot.”
At that time, he said, there were a few blind runners that used running partners to guide them and decided that he too could assist them.
“I also wanted to do something for animals, so I approached the SA Guide-Dogs for the Blind, and they were only too glad to give their approval,” he said.
To date he has already run 27 Two Oceans Marathon (56km) barefoot while carrying a racksack in support of SA Guide Dogs.
To support Peter’s fundraising efforts on behalf of SA Guide-Dogs for the Blind, visit www.cyclechallenge.co.za or contact him at ptaylor@parliament.gov.za. For information on SA Guide Dogs for the Blind, go to www.guidedog.org.za
With only one month to go until the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge, over 30 000 cyclists are in final preparation for the event, which will be held at a new venue: Riversands Commercial Park, on Sunday 16th November.
ENDS
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NOTE TO THE EDITOR:
The Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge is the one of the most anticipated festivals of cycling in the country. Heeding the call to Ride for a Purpose, each year over 30 000 cyclists take to the streets of Johannesburg to ride for a cause close to their heart. In addition to the road race, the Momentum 947 Mountain Bike Challenge, the Momentum 947 Kiddies Ride and the Momentum 947 Expo contribute to a fortnight of cycling activity in Gauteng. The event is owned by 947, partnered by title sponsor: Momentum and proudly hosted by the City of Joburg. The Cycle Challenge has successfully established itself as a world-class event and a highlight on the South African cycling calendar. For information on the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge, please visit www.cyclechallenge.co.za
Momentum.
Momentum, proud sponsor of the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge, is an integrated financial service provider, offering a variety of financial solutions to the South African market, on the African continent and to global investors. Momentum offers advice, on health, wealth, retirement, investments and long and short term insurance services.
Momentum’s purpose is to enhance the financial wellness of every family, individual and company in South Africa – with the right plan in place, we want to empower South Africans to become financially secure.
Momentum strives to be the company of choice for clients, the innovative product provider of choice for financial advisers and the employer of choice for staff.
Momentum staff volunteers will be at water points on the route to keep you energised and hydrated. www.momentum.co.zaMomentum is a member company of MMI Holdings Ltd, the third largest listed insurance company in South Africa. MMI Holdings is the merged entity of Momentum and Metropolitan and is listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE).
947
The station that brings together the pace and diversity of Joburg, 947 plugs into the common attitudes of the people of the city and amplifies the energy of this remarkable place.
With over 1,3 million listeners and audiences of many more on multiple content platforms, the station connects through presenters with big personalities; music that rocks and promotions that are memorable, exciting and entertaining, Warm, authentic, ambitious and optimistic, 947 reflects the all or nothing philosophy that runs through Joburg’s streets and keeps the city and its citizens constantly in motion. www.947.co.zaOfficial names of the events:
Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge
Momentum 947 Kiddies Ride
Momentum 947 Mountain Bike Challenge
Momentum 947 Expo
