Back to training for Timaru handcyclist
Timaru handcyclist Jono Nelson is back to training after the K2 cycling event he has been building towards over the past year was postponed for a month because of Covid-19 alert levels.
Nelson said the extra training time will ‘‘probably actually work in my favour’’ as he prepares to attempt to complete the 192 kilometre route through the Coromandel in under 10 hours to raise money for the New Zealand Spinal trust.
The event, one of the toughest one day cycle challenges In New Zealand, as well as of the most scenic and varied as it circumnavigates the Coromandel, was scheduled for March 13, but was delayed to April 10 over concern about alert level changes.
K2 race co-organiser Andy Reid said it was an ‘‘incredibly difficult decision, but our priority has to be the health and safety of our community, as well as our competitors’’.
‘‘We were committed to running the race only if the whole country was back to level 1, and at this point we cannot be sure of that. ‘‘Our event starts effectively on the Friday, and it would be highly irresponsible to bring over a 1000 people onto the Coromandel while part of the country is still on a heightened level of alert.
‘‘We appreciate that some participants will be disappointed, but that they will respect our decision. We’re confident the majority will still be able to take part.’’ Nelson said he was ‘‘very happy’’ the race wasn’t cancelled.
‘‘I now have some certainty, unless of course there’s another outbreak,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m just looking forward to it, I’m looking forward to the challenge, and now there’s a new date set I’m totally motivated towards keeping my training going.’’ Nelson has raised almost $800 for the New Zealand Spinal Trust. ‘‘They do amazing things. They show that just because you’re in a wheelchair that life can go on.’’