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,” Lyndsay Webster-Rozon, Virgin Active Marketing Director, praised. “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. As 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. But more than that, they’ll reap the benefits of ‘Train Joburg’, which provides a safe and effective training solution, supporting participants long before race day. From strength training and yoga, to boxing and stretch, participants will also have the opportunity to benefit from cross-training at our gyms, and hopefully meet like-minded people along the way too.”
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 with training. Being able to cycle or cross-train in a gym, in the depth of winter, or to join a group ride with Train Joburg will help people maintain their fitness and keep them motivated for the races in November.
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.
About Virgin Active
Virgin Active is South Africa’s leading fitness and wellness brand with 131 clubs across the country. Part of the global chain, Virgin Active global has 238 clubs in eight countries, and continues its purpose to inspire and empower a love of fitness and wellness in all members. Their clubs provide safe spaces for all members regardless of their level of fitness and goals, that promote an active lifestyle with emphasis on a holistic approach to health and wellness. Clubs boast state-of-the-art equipment, qualified and certified instructors, professional Personal Trainers, and highly skilled on-the-ground staff to support and guide members in their fitness journeys. To join or find out more visit www.virginactive.co.za
About Faces Africa
Faces is ultimately the convergence of life-changing and personal experiences in and through challenging and iconic sporting events. As an organisation they strive to always act in the best interest of the participant, society and the environment. Their events include Virgin Active Ride Joburg, the Virgin Active Warrior Race series, Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, the Otter African Trial Run, Torpedo SwimRun, Trans Cape, the King Price Trail Seeker series, King Price Race to the Sea and King Price Race to the Sun. To find out more visit www.faces.africa.
For more information or to arrange an interview for your publication please contact Renata Bossi at renata@faces.africa. Alternatively, please visit www.faces.africa.
