The Vodacom Coastal Classic, set to take place on Sunday, has attracted a diverse field of 169 cyclists from Tanzania and 11 foreign countries. The 109-kilometre race will start at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and finish in Bagamoyo. Riders from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Australia, the Netherlands, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Burundi will compete alongside Tanzanian riders. This international participation has added a new dimension to the event, providing local cyclists with an opportunity to test themselves against riders from different cycling backgrounds.
The growing appeal of the Coastal Classic and the wider Nyerere Cycling Tour is evident in the participation of foreign cyclists. According to Zuweina Farah, Vodacom Tanzania PLC director of external affairs and regulatory, the event has become a significant attraction for international riders. The race will also offer increased financial incentives, with the winners in both the men’s and women’s categories set to receive Sh10 million each. Second-place finishers will pocket Sh7 million, while third-place winners will receive Sh5 million.
The Coastal Classic is the opening competitive event of the Nyerere Cycling Tour, which will begin its main journey towards Butiama on October 5. The main tour will cover about 1,415 kilometres from Dar es Salaam to Butiama, passing through 10 regions before ending at the home and burial site of Tanzania’s founding father, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, in Mara Region. The tour aims to support communities through education, health and environmental conservation.
The Nyerere Cycling Tour has a substantial community development programme targeting more than 25,000 beneficiaries. The programme includes the distribution of 1,000 desks, construction of 10 classrooms, renovation of 40 classrooms and tree planting, alongside financial literacy, road safety and other community awareness activities. Stanbic Bank Tanzania has committed Sh100 million to this year’s tour as part of a three-year, Sh300 million commitment running from 2025 to 2027.
Stanbic Bank Tanzania sustainability manager Annette Nkini said the bank’s participation was intended to ensure the tour creates a lasting impact in the communities along the route. The bank will also provide financial literacy education to young people and communities along the route. This initiative demonstrates the bank’s commitment to supporting community development through sports.
The main Nyerere Cycling Tour is expected to attract more than 200 cyclists, with 213 already registered, including 23 women. The riders will pass through areas including Korogwe, Same, Arusha, Babati, Singida, Nzega, Mwanza and Bunda, with rest stops planned in Arusha and Mwanza. The tour will not only promote cycling but also showcase Tanzania’s diverse landscapes and communities.
As the Coastal Classic prepares to get underway, attention turns to the 169 riders competing over the 109-kilometre course. With its international field and substantial community development programme, the event promises to be an exciting and impactful experience for all involved. The winners of the Coastal Classic will be awarded Sh10 million each, highlighting the significant stakes for the competing riders.
Key points
- 169 cyclists from Tanzania and 11 foreign countries are set to compete in the Vodacom Coastal Classic on Sunday.
- The Nyerere Cycling Tour has a substantial community development programme targeting more than 25,000 beneficiaries.
- Stanbic Bank Tanzania has committed Sh100 million to this year’s tour as part of a three-year, Sh300 million commitment running from 2025 to 2027.
