Over 200 people took to the streets for Market Harborough’s first ‘Festival of Cycling’ sponsored by Working Breakfast members Alden Electrical on Sunday 29th of March. Organisers Race Harborough had hoped that it would offer something for everybody, but in the event it proved to be a test of character as well as a test of endurance, with the weather proving too much for some.
100 participants took part in the 100km route, with 65 participants cycling the 50km route. Cyclists came from across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, with former England rugby captain Martin Johnson joining the race.
Both routes started at Robert Smyth Academy and took in many local villages including Great Bowden, Foxton, Medbourne, Kibworth and Mowsley before returning back to Market Harborough.
Other activities at the Robert Smyth race HQ included 25 free coaching sessions on cycling delivered by Dean Barnett of Whizz Kids. The event also included a prize-laden family trail that was organised and run by Sustainable Harborough.
In total the event raised over £1,200 for local charity AdamSmile.
Race Harborough’s next and most ambitious event will be the Carnival of Running, taking place on June 13th on Carnival day, which will include the first half marathon in Market Harborough for over 3 decades – see www.raceharborough.co.uk for details.