2017 bestMed Eden Street Mile Series launched

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The 2017 bestMed Eden Street Mile Series was launched on Wednesday, 15 November 2017 at the ATKV in Hartenbos.

This is now the third series after it expanded to George and Hartenbos as well.

One of the leading medical schemes in South Africa, bestMed, increased its sponsorship for the holiday series this year.

Also, the cycling component is extended to include a criterium at the NMU event on the George campus.

This event is organised under the auspices of the KKAF and in partnership with ASWD, Eden Cycling, NMU and the ATKV.

After the official welcome by the ATKV resort manager, Mornay Beukes, deputy director: sport at NMU Petrus Boukes explained that the Madibaz Sport involvement is to enhance sport in the Eden district and offer opportunities for local students to study from home.

The chairperson of KKAF and LOC, Hans van der Veen, spoke of the history of the series. Interesting was the fact that the first sub-four minute miler in South Africa matriculated at Oudtshoorn Boys' High.

LJ van Zyl (SA Olympian and bestMed ambassador) spoke of the importance of races such as this to cater for top athletes to provide them with opportunities.

This year, special beach activities have been added by bestMed to also cater for the general holiday public.

Olympian and bestMed ambassador, LJ van Zyl (left) with Dave van der Walt, Wicus Kotzé, PetrusBoukes and Hans van der Veen.

For the first time medals will also be awarded and this, plus the attractive prize purse of R95 000, will definitely attract the top 1500/mile athletes and cyclists to the Eden district.

The uniqueness of the series lies in the fact that each of the towns will retain its unique street mile identity and still form part of the bestMed Street Mile Series as the Grand Prix winner will be determined over the three races.