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FUND-RAISERS pedalled their way around the Bahrain International Circuit on bikes, skates and all sort of wheelie wonderful contraptions at the sixth annual Wheelathon.
The young and the not so young took part in Friday's festivities and raised around BD5,000 for good causes, in particular special needs children who attend RIA Centre and the Sneha facility.
Organsier David Axtell, 40, from Saar said: "The turnout was good, the weather was fantastic and there were plenty of smiles for another great, family day out."
The event began at 1pm with teams revving up at the start line for the fancy dress hospital bed race. G4S employees, clad in traditional Roman attire, won the race when their team A made it to the finish line.
The team of security service providers picked up prize tickets to the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Waterpark and the Harley Davidson H.O.G team rode home with Wahooo! Waterpark vouchers for the 'best fancy dress team'.
The main event attracted participants riding an array of wheels including bicycles, roller blades, scooters, skate boards, buggies and even school playground equipment!
St Christopher School Nursery teachers Sarah Al Sharif, Lousie Longstale and Sue Jones were the 'The Three Amigos' and attracted some attention with their Mexican hats and their choice of wheels - a school ground tricycle.
Lousie, from Saar, said: "We are three friends and so wanted to do something revolving around the theme of three and also wear something to protect ourselves from the sun.
"Next year, we will think of something more unique and different. This is the second year that we have participated in the event and this time we were doing it for the nursery. We have been able to collect BD220."
Relatively new to the island, the Worrall family was all buckled up to enjoy a day out, all thanks to seven-year old Donovan, a Nadeen School student.
Mum Daleen, 36, a housewife from Mahouz, said: "Donovan brought home a form from school and suggested we participate and I'm so glad we did. It would be a great idea to stage this event more than once a year. The track is a perfect place to cycle, much safer than roads!"
The Al Khattab family agreed hoping that one day the island would introduce more side walks and cycle paths. Dad Mohab, 46, an attorney from Saar, said: "Bahrain, at least six out of 12 months, is a perfect place for outdoor activities.
"It would be a great idea to get skating parks or public biking areas to encourage children to become more interested in such activities."
He was accompanied by his wife, Eva and children Yesmeen 10, Tarek, nine and Omar, nine, students of St Christopher's School.
The event also attracted avid cyclists. Nigel Borough, 46, managing director of Secure Services, said: "This is my third year participating for the Wheelathon. My son, Faris is also riding. It is nice to ride on the tracks, away from the busy roads."
Accompanying Nigel, was his biking partner, Tadd Anderson, a landscape architect, who made his debut at the event. Tadd, 39, from Juffair said: "We often go cycling together around different parts of the island and often cover distances of up to 5,000km a year. I think the track is a great place to ride on but I also feel there should be provisions made, for instance, designated bike routes, to encourage more people to ride in a secure manner."
Entertainment was provided by DJ Krazy Kevin while the family area had bouncy castle, clowns, balloon twisting, spray cooling machines and Porche pedal cars.
Mr Axtell said: "This year, the Bahrain Cycling Association brought in 16 bikes for people who weren't able to bring their own. The Filipino Mountain Bikers also provided us with a lot of support by on track marshalling. The whole event went very well."
He also mentioned that plans were already set for next year. "We have penciled it in for March 25. It's great to have the Wheelathon so close to the F1 as excitement levels remain high."
