Get on your bike with PlaceMakers!

Looking for an invigorating challenge that requires building something other than houses? Then get your body into gear for Canterbury’s iconic road cycling competition – PlaceMakers Le Race!

First held in 1999, PlaceMakers Le Race charts 100km of challenging hill climbs, fast flats and exhilarating downhills with participants cycling from Christchurch, across an extinct volcano, to the French-inspired surrounds of Akaroa. This year’s event will be held on 19 March and PlaceMakers is proud to be the sponsor of the region’s only surviving post-earthquakes road cycle race.

“Sponsoring PlaceMakers Le Race and creating our own team is a great opportunity for us to support the increasing number of our customers who enjoy cycling, and the Christchurch community itself,” says PlaceMakers marketing and operations manager Gary Woodhouse.

Event owner and manager Sheree Stevens, who has organised Le Race for the past decade, couldn’t be happier to have PlaceMakers on board.

“These community-building events can’t happen without sponsors like PlaceMakers, so we’re thrilled to have them backing us,” says Sheree.

While the country’s quickest pedallers complete the tour in less than three hours, the majority of weekend warriors take up to six hours to conquer the gruelling but scenic ride. With two major hill climbs and a 1,442m elevation gain, it’s described by racers around the world as “well worth the effort”!

To make PlaceMakers Le Race more appealing to those who might not have 100km in the tank, there are also two and three-person relay options and, for the first time, a 53km ‘Le Race Petite’.

“It’s not all about winning,” says Sheree. “Hundreds of people are just out there to challenge themselves and be part of an exciting experience – we have a number of participants who even do it on mountain bikes and single speeds!”

PlaceMakers is offering a handful of free and discounted entries for those who would like to participate. Check out the PlaceMakers Facebook page for more details.

Registrations close 8 March.
To register, visit www.lerace.co.nz.