Third annual charity wheelathon

The Bahrain International Circuit played host to a very different set of wheels at the weekend when hundreds of bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades descended on the track. 

Over 500 people, varying in age from toddlers to grandparents participated in the Third Annual Charity Wheelathon which raised BD6,400 for charity.
People were invited to ‘wheel’ around the 5km F1 track in any non-motorised form of transport, completing as many circuits as they could within two hours.
Organiser David Baxtell said, “For me it’s the perfect day – it’s a sports day full of family fun which is also doing something for charity.
“My son George inspired this because I saw how much he enjoyed coming down to the track. It made me realise that lots of people wanted to get closer to these fantastic facilities.”
The day kicked off with the BIC’s first-ever hospital bed race. Teams of six complete with one ‘patient’ raced head-to-head pushing hospital beds down the main straight in front of the grandstand.
Representatives from Bahrain’s media, the American Navy, the American Mission Hospital, St Christopher’s Cathedral and Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation (BDSF) took part.
Lieutenant Paul Macapagal who competed in the race wearing goggles and a feather boa, said: “We’re fans of doing things for the community. We were here for the F1 and it’s great to be here in the track.” 
The winners were the BDSF who completed the 500m stretch over ten seconds faster than all the other teams, and over one minute faster than the Gulf Daily News team.
Throughout the day more than 1,000 people arrived to show their support for the event and enjoy the family entertainment provided by DJ Krazy Kevin and a host of clowns, balloon twisters, face painters and hair braiders.
Susan Barber, 41, who brought her two children to the event said: “It’s been a great family day and we’ve seen a lot of people here that we know. My son Luke, who is seven, took off straight away, but my daughter Lane, who’s four, wanted to go down a hill.”
Cherian Matthews, director of operations at Phoenix Creations, who attended the event with his family and three family friends, said: “We’re here to support the disabled association, and we’ve all brought our children who are having a great time on the bouncy castle.”
The first person to arrive at the finish line was Yvonne Trueman, a retired therapist. She said: “I’m surprised I’m first, but I have had some training. I’ve just come back from Jordan where I was cycling for charity.”
The soaring temperature left the participants exhausted but elated.
Ahmed Mushima, 23, who competed in a wheelchair said: “I did a lot of training but I’m too tired to go around again.”
Alex Farrell, 12, who took part with his sister and father, said, “I did three laps, but there was a point where I collapsed and fell asleep.”
The Wheelathon was organised on behalf of St Christopher’s Cathedral and the proceeds will be shared among Sneha Recreation Centre, Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation and other local charities.
The event was sponsored by BAE Systems, Jacana, Coca-Cola, Gulf Daily News, KLM, AMH, BIC, Warwick Mann International, Mares, Carousel and Royal Sun Alliance.

WORDS: -RdS-
PICTURES: T Andrew Morton