Many local cycling enthusiasts saddled up for a worthy cause. Photo: Jamey Gordon
The seventh edition of THE500 brought together cyclists, businesses, and the broader Somerset West community for an extraordinary 24-hour fundraising marathon at De Hoop Primary School on Saturday 18 October.
This year’s event held special significance as it celebrated Distance for Difference‘s 20th anniversary mielstone, with participants united behind an ambitious goal – raising R750 000 for deserving children’s charities. The popular charity endurance event builds on THE500’s impressive track record, having raised R3,6 million for various children’s causes since the series launched in 2013.
THE500’s 24-hour cycling challenge ran from 10:00 Saturday to 10:00 Sunday (19 October), starting and finishing at the local school venue. The event also featured 10 laps total: day loops through Somerset West-Stellenbosch-Kuils River for laps one to four, night loops on Lourensford Wine Estate for laps five to eight, and returning to day loops for the final laps nine and 10.
Friends from Stellenbosch turned out in force to participate and support other participants during the indoor cycling sessions, bringing infectious energy to the school hall. Pictured are Shayna O’Brien, Anné Kritzinger, Christine Hill, and Alexa Phillips. Photo: Jamey Gordon Mother-and-daughter duo Chrizelda and Kaylee de Jager from Strand successfully completed the first session of the indoor cycling session together. The pair enjoyed supporting a worthy cause while dedicating their efforts to the glory of God. Photo: Jamey Gordon Amanda-Lea Jones (second from right), driving force behind Khethani Women’s Wellness Centre, saddled up for the cause alongside her family. Pictured with her are husband Jorge Jacinto and daughters Layla and Maya Jacinto. Photo: Jamey GordonRebecca O’Brien and Anna-Mart Bakkes powered through an hour of cycling, putting their all into supporting the cycling event for a worthy cause. Photo: Jamey GordonThe dedicated behind-the-scenes team made it all possible: (back row, from left) Zack van der Merwe, Tacia Roux, Marthinus van der Merwe, Yolanda Pieterse, Yolande Nieman, Thea Coetsee, Colin Heckroodt; (front row) Caro Pieterse, Suné Coetsee, Karla Pieterse, Christyl Coetsee and Chloe van Schalkwyk. Photo: Jamey Gordon
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