On yar bike for cancer research

NOW taking registrations, the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute announced that its Ballarat Cycle Classic will be going ahead for 2021.

With the aim of raising funds to support FECRI’s research, people are invited to take part in either a distance road ride, mountain bike course, virtual ride, fun ride for the family, family lake walk and run, and for the first time the larger challenge of a half marathon and 16-kilometre run.

Set for Sunday, 21 February 2021, FECRI director Professor George Kannourakis said he hopes to see as many people as possible getting involved and raising important funds for cancer research.

“We’ve never given up hope that we would never have it, even if that meant working on virtual rides but we plan to run a COVID safe event with only a few changes,” he said.

“We’re hoping to get a lot of interstate interest … and a lot of people in Ballarat to take part because there’s something for everyone.

“Thanks to our lovely sponsors every single cent that’s raised through registrations goes straight to cancer research … making sure we don’t have to take any funds from registrations to run it.”

Cycling YouTuber and the Cycling Classic community committee member Shane Miller said it’s great to see the event continuing into next year especially with the virtual element.

“Ballarat Cycle Classic is thrilled to offer two new virtual rides to showcase our beautiful city around the country and indeed the world,” she said.

“We’re excited at the opportunity to share the quality rides we are lucky to experience every day with others outside our city and fundraise for cancer research.

“Things like this give us purpose to what we do, a lot of us race or just train and this gives us a goal to work towards with the fundraising and with our own fitness.”

Former Olympian and event ambassador Steve Moneghetti said the new half marathon and 16-kilometre runs will be a great edition.

“There is a large community of distance runners in Ballarat and with many events being cancelled this year, the run will be good timing for those wishing to get back in on the fun of an organised run,” he said.

“It’s great to have these events because we don’t have a lot of running events in Ballarat and obviously it’s a great way to raise some funds as well.”

For more information on the event or to register, visit ballaratcycleclassic.com.au.