First ever mountain bike marathon in Gran Canaria
February 26th, 2005
Gran Canaria (sgh) – In exactly one week’s time, on Saturday March 5th, Gran Canarias first ever mountain bike marathon will take place. With the inaugural Maratón por Medicina, the organising bike club Ciclocentro not only wants to promote mountain bike tourism on the beautiful Canary island, but also support the organisation Medicina a mi Vida, that collects medicine for Cuba and from current cause also for the Tsunami victims in Asia.
All marathon participants as well as the local schools were encouraged to collect and donate non-expired medicine. The relief organisation Medicina a mi Vida gathers medication for the central hospital Cuba Calixto García in Havanna and since December for the Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.
Hotel owner and marathon coordinator Petra Wonisch (www.hotelvilladelmonte.com) organised through her tourism network a direct link to the Old Boys Association, which has for many years equipped and supported the schools in Ananda and now takes care of their reconstruction and other relief projects.
Gran Canaria’s university ULPGC, too, supports the marathon organisers and asked its students to collect medicine. Furthermore, the university pays 50 per cent of the start fee of all enrolled students who want to participate in the Maratón por Medicina.
International participants
They come from all over Europe and Canada, the mountain bikers and journalists who participate in the first marathon on the miniature continent with 32 protected nature areas, eight nature reserves and over 100 endemic plant species. With their inaugural marathon race Gran Canaria’s bike club Ciclocentro wants to promote the island as mountain bike destination. Therefore, the demanding 85 kilometres long route with a total of 3,100 metres in elevation gain leads across the entire island – from Puerto Rico in the Southeast to St. Brigida in the Northwest – and is full of breathtaking views and scenic highlights. On their way North, the mountain bikers pass several climate and vegetation zones, reddish canyons, spectacular rock formations, century old pine woods and striking plateaus until they reach the finish line in St. Brigida where the riders are welcomed with a colourful Bike Festival in front of the local sports centre.
Cuban marathon fiesta
The Canarios’ know how to celebrate a fiesta. Together with the 4 star bike hotel Gloria Palace Amadores in Puerto Rico and the Sociedad Municipal de Deportes de Villa Santa Brigida the promoters have created a diverse programme that will not only entertain the participants, but also the spectators. Its highlights are a colourful market, a trial show of the Spanish Champion David Moreno, an MTB race for children as well as folkloric and modern dance performances.
That the Maratón por Medicina is a very special event will already be emphasized at the start on Saturday morning when the marathon bunch is headed by a twenty old-timers with many VIPs. After the race, one of these noble Rolls Royce’s will chauffeur the winners back home.
Grand finale of Gran Canaria’s first the first MTB marathon weekend will be the Cuban White Night, a stunning Latin farewell party at the official bike hotel Amadores.
Marathon in memory of Fabian
End of January, the son of Petra Wonisch, one or the organisers of the Maratón por Medicina, died in a tragic accident. Twelve year old Fabian was an enthusiastic mountain biker, spent every free minute on his bike and dreamt of a career as a professional athlete. Now Petra Wonisch wants to pass on the immense joy and happiness that her son felt whenever he was riding his bike to other children. Fabian’s enthusiasm for the sport shall be ignited and live on in other hearts. For that reason she will found a charity in memory of her son, that leads children to the mountain bike sport and gives talented riders in Gran Canaria the chance to develop and to participate in national or international races.
The organisers of the Maratón por Medicina dedicate Gran Canarias first ever mountain bike marathon to the memory Fabian.
Further information/ accreditation until 4 March 2005 at
www.canary-bike.com
Tel:+34-928 644 389
E-Mail: info@canary-bike.com
