Desert Dash Launched in Windhoek
The 9th edition of the 2013 FNB Desert Dash was launched in Windhoek on the 2nd of December at the bank’s Head Office. The Desert Dash will take place on the 13th and 14th of December over 368 km in a 24 hour period. The Desert Dash will start in Windhoek and end in Swakopmund
Dixon Norval head of Strategic Marketing who spoke on behalf of FNB CEO Ian Leyenaar said that it takes extreme discipline, exercise and mental preparation to tackle this adventure.
He further said that all the cyclist will recall each uphill battle and downhill slide, they will also have the pleasure of experiencing the unbelievable beauty of Namibia over a period of 24 hours, from gruelling hot temperatures to extreme cold at night going through the desert. FNB is the main sponsor of the Desert Dash and Pupkewitz Nissan has been sponsoring vehicles for 5 years. Cymot Scott which has been sponsoring the Dash for the last 3 years is sponsoring the bike that is to be won at the end of the event. Aiden de Lange, organiser of the FNB Desert Dash thanked the title sponsor FNB for their continued support of the event.
He gave a brief history of the event saying it kicked off with 44 riders in 2005 and 80+ in 2006. Since 2007 to date 530 entries have been received yearly. He added that the FNB Desert Dash has for the past six years chosen the organisation ‘Children In The Wilderness’ as the sponsored organisation. “A portion of the event’s profits is donated to CITW to subsidize a camp which aims at bringing awareness of the Namibian outdoors to underprivileged children. This year our target is N$50.000,”said De Lange. This year’s online registration holds record filling time with 100 solo slots filled up in 1 week, while 85 two man slots were filled in 25 seconds and 25 four man slots filled up in 6 seconds. There will be four medical back-up units, 60 marshals and crew manning the route, 23 official vehicles covering approximately 26000 kms across the event and a 900 capacity seating at the Swakopmund finish point.
