CIMAS Health Group has announced that the third edition of its annual cycling event, Pedal to W3llness, will take place on September 27 at Borrowdale Office Park in Harare.
The event, run through the company’s wellness division, iGo, is aimed at promoting heart health and encouraging people to live active, healthy lifestyles. This year’s theme is “Promoting Heart Health & Active Lifestyles”, in line with World Heart Day, which is observed globally on September 29.
Speaking at a press conference, Cimas Chief Executive Officer, Vuli Ndlovu, said the cycling event was part of the organisation’s efforts to inspire healthier communities.
“At Cimas Health Group we believe in the importance of inspiring a healthier community. We host our annual Pedal to W3llness event as part of our commitment to promoting a culture of wellness in line with our purpose to inspire healthier communities,” he said.
“As we believe that a healthy nation benefits us all, through our Pedal to W3llness event, we are not only encouraging participants to engage in physical activity, but also highlighting the critical role that cardiovascular fitness, also known as cardiorespiratory fitness, plays in overall health and well-being.”
The event will feature three cycling distances, 45km and 22.5km for adults and 4.5km for children. Each participant will receive a finisher’s medal, and an electronic timing system will be used to track results.
Registration, which opened last week, costs US$10 if using your own bike or US$25 with bike hire. Children under 13 will take part for free. Helmets will be compulsory, and those without medical aid cover will be asked to sign a waiver form.
To ensure safety, Ndlovu said Cimas Health Group will deploy 50 marshals on the day of the event to assist the Zimbabwe Republic Police in managing the cycling routes and intersections.
“As a safety measure, all participants are expected to wear helmets, which are available for hire at the venue on the day. All participants are also required to sign indemnity forms with those not covered under medical aid being required to sign a waiver to participate,” he said.
Ndlovu also highlighted the global burden of heart disease. “Heart health is central to overall wellness. The heart is the size of a fist and is the strongest muscle in the body. However, it can become vulnerable from behavioural risk factors like a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, excessive alcohol intake, cholesterol, eating an unhealthy diet, or living with high blood pressure,” he said.
“Maintaining a healthy heart and an active lifestyle carries substantial health benefits. Up to 80% of premature CVD deaths are preventable through affordable access to care, early screening, and making healthy choices in nutrition, activity, and lifestyle. Cimas Health Group is making efforts to improve awareness and treatment of health issues that put individuals at a risk for CVD, so no one misses a beat.”
He encouraged people to embrace exercise, such as cycling, which strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. “Pedal to W3llness is not just about fitness, it is about building lifelong habits that contribute to better health outcomes. As we continue living our purpose, to inspire healthier communities, I invite everyone to join the exciting Pedal to W3llness and take a step towards a healthier future. Together, we can promote heart health and encourage active living for all.”
Ndlovu added that cycling also provides a safer and more environmentally friendly form of transport. “This Pedal to W3llness is a not to be missed cycling event that unites cycling enthusiasts, families, and individuals eager to embrace a healthier lifestyle. This year our aim is to bring together 500 cyclists comprising of 400 adults and 100 children as we raise awareness on how to promote heart health and active lifestyles,” he said.
He expressed confidence that this year’s event will be bigger and better, surpassing last year’s edition, which drew over 300 cyclists.
