Guyana Beverage Co. 50-mile Cran-Water cycle race set for Berbice Sunday

Nov 04, 2014 Sports

All the country’s top cyclists are once again expected to don their cycling gear and head to Berbice on Sunday November 9th for the fourth annual cycle road race sponsored by the Guyana Beverage Company in Berbice and organized once again by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC). However, this year the event will be held under a new name, Cran-water, after being held under the Island Mist Brand for the past three years.
The event is once again open to cyclists throughout the country. The 50 miles event will see the riders peddling off from in front of the beverage company’s Berbice outlet at Palmyra at 14:00hrs, proceed to No 36 Village before turning back in front of Nand Persaud and Company Rice Complex and back to its point of origin.
Speaking at the simple launching ceremony which was held on Saturday at the company’s Berbice office, Palmyra East Coast Berbice, was General Manager of the Company Mr. Robert Selman. He stated that the company, which has been in Guyana for over two decades and in Berbice for the past 13 years, has had good support from the Guyanese populace and more particularly Berbicians.  He noted that they were happy to be giving back to the community especially in the field of sport and education.  “This is one small way to tell the people of Guyana and Berbice thanks you for your support.”
Selman explained the reason for the change in name. “We are no longer going to be Island Mist. We have Cool Runnings Cran-water and we have Cool Runnings Plain-water.” The company decided to make the switch because one of its competitors in Trinidad produces a beverage with a similar name which is now being distributed in other Caribbean Islands.
The objective he said is to try to keep youths off the street and the management of the company believes that it is the way to go forward to encourage youths to get involved.  He is happy how the event has been organized over the years and plans to make it even bigger and better in the future.
Cycle Coach Randolph Roberts thanked Mr. Selman and the Guyana Beverage Company for their support and noted that the company is truly one for all seasons. The gesture he said should serve as an example for other businesses.
Prizes will be awarded to the first six finishers, the first three juniors and the first three females. While there will also be rewards for the first four cyclists from the FACC to complete the distance.  There will be eight sprint point prizes up for grabs. The female riders will pedal off from Tain Berbice Campus to the finish line.
The company, whose headquarters is based in Trinidad, has a number of subsidiaries throughout the Caribbean.
Mr. Selman along with other senior officials of the beverage company is expected to be on hand to start the race and distribute the prizes. The race will be coordinator by Coach Roberts.  (Samuel Whyte)