Cyclists ready for tough Mokolodi Scorpion race

Local and foreign Cyclists are expected to converge at the Mokolodi Game Reserve this Sunday for the Pick n Pay Mokolodi Scorpion Mountain Bike (MTB) challenge. The race, popularly known as ‘a race with a sting in the back’ due to its toughness is sponsored to the tune of P40 000 by Pick n Pay.
Peter Sekwale of the Gaborone Cycling Club (GCC), the race’s organisers, said the target this year will be for the race to have at least 250 riders competing.
Sekwale added that the entrants would compete in three categories, namely the 52 km and 22 km races as well as the 5 km race for kids.?Despite the race being run in a scenic environment, with routes that offer riders some nice game views, the MTB is one of the toughest and most technical in the local cycling calendar.
While the race gives riders a unique experience as they get to see wild animals within the reserve while cycling, the race routes take competitors through some rocky climbs as well as through river sand, giving it ‘a sting in the back.’
Meanwhile, the race organisers have encouraged local riders to enter the race. The organizers said proceeds from this event will be donated to Mokolodi Nature Reserve to assist them with the terrible drought that Botswana is facing.
The winner of the Mokolodi MTB challenge will walk away with a floating trophy while the first Motswana to cross the finish line will be awarded the Fabian Gordon Trophy.
There will also be cash prizes for winners in different categories of the race. According to Sekwale, winners in both men and women’s 55 km categories will walk away with P1000 cash prize each. It is expected that the first 5 Males in the 55km and the first 3 Females in the 55km will win cash prizes while gift vouchers or certificates to other category winners.┬á
Pick n Pay Botswana is the Main Sponsor and will be providing goody bags at registration at Sebele Pick n Pay as well as providing the water stops and finish water stop while Mokolodi Nature Reserve will be hosting the event in the Park and will be selling food and drinks at the Education Centre.