Despite a decision to reduce the number of entrants this year, and with the help of inflation, organisers are confident that they will match or improve on that figure.<\/p>\n
“There are no volunteers – every organisation that works on the event is paid for its services,” said organiser Glen Haw, who pioneered the community-driven approach.<\/p>\n
He said it was a foolproof way for communities to raise money for their schools, churches and charities while adding value to the off-road event, which comprises a more social adventure component (May 18 to 20) and a race (May 19 to 21).<\/p>\n
“For each of these, there is a core team of 125 people,” said Haw. “It’s difficult to estimate, but the total manpower involved would probably be closer to 2 000.”<\/p>\n
Haw said the services required included route marking, the manning of waterpoints, catering, bike washing, security, cleaning, setting up of tents and so on.<\/p>\n
He said although they could sometimes source these functions slightly cheaper commercially, organisers chose to make a difference in their immediate surrounds.<\/p>\n
“The work delivered must conform to a certain standard though,” said Haw. “At the end of the day, I need to be able to justify the costs to my riders.”<\/p>\n
Where possible, he said, organisers lined up appropriate sponsors but then handed over the responsibility for managing negotiations and logistics to the community organisations.<\/p>\n
He said it was a proven empowerment model, which had been refined over the years and adopted by a number of other races including the Fairbairn Capital\/Old Mutual joBerg2c and FedGroup Berg and Bush.<\/p>\n
“The competitors come first – if it’s good for them, it’s good for the race. A successful race keeps the sponsors happy and creates a sustainable event.”<\/p>\n
As a farmer himself, Haw said he was aware how crucial sustainability was for the fragile rural economies that formed the backbone of the agricultural industry.<\/p>\n
“My wife and I were prompted to start the sani2c because our kids were young at the time and needed a good school,” said Haw.<\/p>\n
“What started as a fundraiser for one institution became something for the entire community.”<\/p>\n
According to Haw, the race participants themselves had also started a number of charitable initiatives.<\/p>\n
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