Faces Africa, the company behind the world’s second-largest timed cycling event, 947 Ride Joburg, are excited to announce Virgin Active as the race’s new title sponsor. The initial three-year deal sees the flagship event, along with its mountain bike and the children’s ride subsidiaries, become the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg. For event entrants, this means access to safe training via Train Joburg rides, Virgin Active’s indoor cycle classes, cycling strength training, and more.
“Ride Joburg is more than just an iconic Johannesburg event,” said Lyndsay Webster-Rozon, Virgin Active Marketing Director. “It’s classically South African in that it brings thousands of people together to ride the city, much as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and the Comrades do for running. At Virgin Active, we love to see people getting and staying fit in our gyms and out on the streets, mountains, beaches and all the other great outdoor spaces our country is known for. Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg participants will be able to make use of our indoor cycle facilities and join our cycle classes to get the time on saddle they need to prepare. From a hot shower and a nutritious meal after an outride to the cross-training benefits of strength training, yoga and more, Virgin Active is thrilled to be able to support this community of riders.”
The Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg features a Kids Ride and three mountain bike races at Steyn City the weekend before the road races, on the 12th and 13th of November. Photo by Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg.
The 97 kilometre long Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg route features a tour of Johannesburg’s most iconic sites and landmarks, including the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Photo by Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg.
Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg includes the full 97 kilometre road race, which is second only to the Cape Town Cycle Tour in participant numbers globally, as well as a number of subsidiary events. The 35 kilometre short route is intended to provide newer, or less fit riders, with an easier entry into the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg community. Steyn City hosts three mountain biking races, and the kids race the weekend before, on the 12th and 13th of November.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Virgin Active aboard as the title sponsor for what will now be known as the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg,” Clark Gardner, Group CEO of Faces Africa said. “Behind the scenes their support will help us further elevate this already world-class event. It’s to the riders that the main benefits of the association with Virgin Active are focused. Participants will have access to Train Joburg, Virgin Active cycle classes and indoor training rides throughout the year as they prepare for the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg.”
“Virgin Active members will also receive access to preferential start groups and hospitality areas at the event,” Webster-Rozon continued. “Virgin Active gyms are also the perfect place to start group rides from. Building a community around the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg events is one of our primary focuses going forward. As such, the gyms will act as hubs from which training rides will take place. By doing so we can combat two of the major concerns cyclists have in South Africa, the first being outdoor training in the cold winter months and the second being safety. The ability to cycle or cross-train in a gym, especially in winter, or to join a group ride with Train Joburg will help riders maintain their fitness and keep them motivated for the races in November.”
Virgin Active is the perfect place for Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg, especially in winter; be it by joining a spinning class, for cross-training or using the health club as a starting point for a Train Joburg ride. Photo by Virgin Active.
Virgin Active Ride Joburg Schedule
- 12 November 2022: Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg Kids Ride, 10 & 25km MTB (Steyn City)
- 13 November 2022: Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg 50km MTB (Steyn City)
- 20 November 2022: Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg (FNB Stadium)
For more information on the Virgin Active Ride Joburg or to secure your place in the 2022 race visit www.ridejoburg.co.za.
Pity it doesnt bring the entry fee's down, but probably increase the spam emails.
Kudo's to them getting a new title sponsor none the less
@Matt check your website address for ridejoburg.co.za in your link