Road Club gears up for inaugural Billy Kerr Sportive

Catherine O'Hara and Valerie Peacock, from the NI Children's Hospice, are pictured with Ballymena Road Club members Neil Kerr, Sammy Kerr, John Maxwell (Club Chairman), Jason Byrnes, Eileen Byrnes, Harry Graham and Hazel Hughes launching the Billy Kerr Sportive. INBT27-216AC

Three distances are available in this special event which will will also raise money for the Hospice, which is the official charity partner.

Famous Irish Road Race Sean Kelly will be riding the course as well as being available at the start and finish location.

Starting location and sign on will be at the Ballymena Showgrounds Car Park- entrance Via Ecos Centre and each route will take in the spectacular and stunning scenary around the North Antrim Coast.

The organisers of the Sportive now urge and encourage all BRC members and friends to register online so that numbers for catering can be anticipated as soon as possible. See club website www.ballymenaroadclub.co.uk on details to enter or contact Alan Blair or Nigel Kernohan if you do not have access to a computer or internet.

One lucky online entrant will receive a Vitus Razor Road Bike courtesy of the club’s main sponsor Chain Reaction Cycles.

The prize draw will take place on the evening of Friday 15th August at the pre-sign on event. Special celebrity Sean Kelly will pick the lucky winner.

Comment.

The staging of this event is a huge undertaking for the few Sportive organising committee members.

The Road Club of course, has sixty years’ worth of experience in promoting open and club road races but this is the club’s first Sportive.

This is the main event to celebrate the club’s 60th anniversary season There will be a choice of three distances 42 miles, 72 miles and 93 miles.