Ballarat Cycle Classic 2021: Hundreds take part in one of city's biggest fundraisers

Families remembering loved ones, visitors from far afield supporting the hundreds of participants, and those just along for the ride, all united for a worthy cause in an event that almost did not happen.

This year, organisers have faced more challenges than ever. As well as the usual logistics of arranging for hundreds of volunteers, they had the additional surprise of a five-day snap lockdown just ahead of its original February run date.

During what one organiser described as "an emotional, stressful time", they took the decision to push the date back.

The wait would have seemed worthwhile as glorious, if brisk, conditions greeted cyclists, walkers and runners.

First off were the endurance cyclists on a 160-kilometre Spud100 course, named in memory of local AFL legend Danny 'spud' Frawley who died in 2019 and had been a big supporter of this event.

As well as the various cycling routes - distances run the gamut from a short loop of a lake to the 160-kilometre route - running events have also been included in this year's program for the first time.

Janet Bald was one of the many riders taking part for very personal reasons, along with her extended family ranging from her brother and sister to her grandchildren.

"We normally ride for Josiah, who was my nephew who passed away," she said. "We wondered whether it would happen this year - and thankfully it has."

Having swapped distances at the insistence of her grandson Hamish so they could ride together, she said she found it an emotional occasion.

"It's beautiful. It's just recognition of all the work they do, and hopefully they will find a cure."

One of the aims this year - which is the biggest fundraising event for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute (FECRI) - is to boost funding for brain cancer research.

Ahead of taking part in the 28-kilometre adventure ride, FECRI honorary director George Kannourakis told The Courier how pleased he was this year's event had been able to take place.

"It's amazing we've been able to pull this through. Sarah [Stapleton] and Sally [Walsh] and the team have done a wonderful job

"It's an essential thing for the institute. It's the community getting behind us to allow us to continue our good work in the area of immunology and cancer. By doing that we will one day be able to treat more patients using the patients' own immune system - that's really the aim.

"We rely on events like this to keep on going. "

Last year fundraising allowed FECRI to launch a new breast cancer research program.

Student Sophie Fontaine had come over from Gippsland to take part - and her way of tackling the adventure ride was more adventurous than most. She decided to ride the 28-kilometre course on a unicycle.

"I am studying medicine at the moment so I have got a particular interest in health, so it seemed the perfect way to combine my interests and charity work and health."

"It's a beautiful area, I am really looking forward to it."

Ms Fontaine said she was aiming to raise $1,000 - and organisers say they are on track to hit a record fundraising total this year.

There is $221,000 already registered on the official website and more funds are expected to be confirmed later with late entrants.

The parents of Fiona Elsey, the former Ballarat High School student who died of cancer in 1991 and in whose memory the event was set up, were also there.

Her mother Gail Elsey said: "It's a fantastic day and after the delay with COVID, I had great faith it was going to happen.

"The weather is good, the gods have been kind, and everybody has got on board and supported it.

"It's such a good cause, it's helping so many people - and the funds raised today will benefit those going through treatments.

"I smile for Fiona, because I think how pleased she would be to see how far it has come - especially the Cycle Classic because she loved riding her bike. For her, if she was here, she would be at the front.

"I won't stop smiling. It gives families an opportunity to come out, do something together and make a difference."

Participants are likely to be coming through the finish line at the western edge of Lake Wendouree for several hours from mid morning.

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