PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett is to host its first Street Mile race in December, hoping to make it the jewel in the crown of such races during the December holiday period.

The brainchild of former Olympic middle distance runner Ray Wicksell and Plett mover and shaker Nico Westraat, the Street Mile already has the backing of Bitou mayor Jessica Kamkam, also a runner in her youth.

18 December

The Street Mile will be held on 18 December and will supplement Plett's tourism offerings.

Wicksell says Sydney Maree, South African Olympian and world record holder in the 1 500m in the mid-80s, will attend and also form part of the build-up to the event.

Wicksell, a staunch ambassador for sport, and Maree will be visiting schools to drum up support in the run-up to the event.

Part of series

The Plett Street Mile will form part of the Garden Route Street Mile series that includes Oudtshoorn and Hartenbos in December.

Like the other Street Mile races it is expected to attract top athletes from across South Africa. The theme of the Plett Street Mile will be "The Community".

Drivers behind the Plettenberg Bay Street Mile race are Nico Westraat and former US Olympic middle distance runner Ray Wicksell.

"The children running with the stars," says Wicksell.

'Need heroes'

Westraat, the chairman of the Plettenberg Bay Street Mile, said: "It is important. We need heroes in our lives and what better way than bringing Olympic heroes to town to influence the youth element in our community."

Westraat's aim is to line the streets of Plett with spectators and to share a ground-breaking event with the community.

"We have mayor Jessica Kamkam on our side."

Creating interest

The Street Mile is the result of the community work of Wicksell and Westraat - and Sydney Maree - visiting schools to create interest in the event and the lifestyle such an attraction will bring.

"We are now partners with the Garden Route Street Mile series and hope that Plett will become the crown in the triple crown events," said Wicksell.

'Want kids to dream big'

Westraat said the event registration with Bitou municipality has been completed and that all security protocols that have been covered in line with the other two Street Mile events.

Westraat said he became involved because he cannot understate his love for Plett and its community. "I want kids to dream… and dream big. Who knows, maybe one day, Plett could have an Olympian."

Anyone interested can email him atnico@nicwest.co.za 

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