Hot on the heels of the resounding success that was this year’s Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia event in Pitlochry, IMG Mass Participation have announced that registrations for their 2011 event are selling faster than ever before with almost 1000 places already gone.
Charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support, who had over 2000 fundraisers riding in the event last week, also confirmed today that their fundraising total for 2010 had already reached £390,000, which is 70% higher than at the same time last year. With sponsorship money still coming in over the next two months the final figure is expected to climb.
With 50% of the cyclists who have already registered pledging to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2011, this bodes well for the charity that has so far netted over £760,000 of vital funds from its ongoing association with Etape Caledonia.
Online, social networking groups and blogs have been flooded with a stream of positive comments about this year’s event, many commenting on how welcoming local people and businesses were.
John Sim, an operations manager for IBM in the UK commented “The welcome and effort put in by everyone made you very proud of Scottish hospitality at its best.”
Tom McCallum, an international businessman, commented on the event’s Facebook page, “I'm originally from Scotland but have worked internationally for many years, with a large part of that time in tourism and marketing. I flew 5000 miles to ride Etape Caledonia, and believe me when I say: Scotland has a truly world class event.”
Jo Dytch, Event Organiser, IMG Mass Participation said “IMG Mass Participation are absolutely delighted with the extremely positive response to this event, not to mention how quickly registrations are pouring in for the 2011 event. Individuals and businesses across Highland Perthshire have worked extremely hard to ensure our participants feel welcomed and it’s great to see their efforts and dedication have paid off.”
Organisers are urging people interested in participating in next year’s event to consider fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2011 and to sign up soon to avoid disappointment.
Meanwhile, for those participants who just can’t wait until next year, IMG Mass Participation will be launching their second closed-road event Sky Ride Etape Hibernia in County Clare, Ireland on August 22nd.
Entries can be made for both events online at www.etapecaledonia.co.uk
