Pedal With Purpose For Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand

Hampton Downs Motorsport Park is trading horsepower for pedal power to raise vital funds and awareness for Aotearoa’s most diagnosed cancer.

On Saturday, 11 October, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park will be burning rubber of a different kind as cyclists line up to take part in Pedal4Prostate, the Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand’s annual charity cycling event.

Now in its eighth year, Pedal4Prostate is a four-hour endurance cycling event that sees teams and individuals push to complete as many laps of the 2.7km motor racing circuit as possible before the clock runs out. The current record for most distance covered is 153.9km, or 57 laps.

For the Lichtwark brothers, Pedal4Prostate is one of the few times a year all four are in the same place. Brian, Ray, Alan and Graeme, aged between 68 and 82, travel from across the North Island to participate in the event.

“We know how valuable the work the Prostate Cancer Foundation does is,” says Alan. “At our ages, we all know someone who has had prostate problems, including one of us.

“We grew up using bikes as everyday transport and have continued riding through our adult lives. We all still ride today for fun, health, convenience, and sometimes sport.

“Pedal4Prostate is a great way for us to catch up and support a worthy cause.”

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2025 will be the third time the brothers, excluding Ray who sat out last year due to a broken leg, have taken to the track at Hampton Downs. Graeme will complete the four-hour event solo, while Brian, Alan, and Ray will join an old friend to make up a four-person team.

Prostate Cancer Foundation Chief Executive, Peter Dickens, says it’s wonderful to see participants returning year after year, noting that Pedal4Prostate is an eagerly anticipated event in the calendar.

“Pedal4Prostate is a money-can't-buy experience at Hampton Downs that exists to raise vital funds and awareness for prostate cancer.

“We look forward to the event every year, there’s nothing like welcoming cyclists to take on a world class motorsport track usually reserved for horsepower and high-speed.”

For the avid cyclist, Pedal4Prostate offers a perfect time trial opportunity; for friends and whānau, an opportunity to don the bluest of blues for a fun day at the track - all in support of the 1 in 8 Kiwi men that will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

For motorsports enthusiasts, the event is one of very few opportunities to take on a section of the iconic motor racing circuit that has seen big names – the likes of Lando Norris, Liam Lawson, Greg Murphy, Shane van Gisbergen, and Yuki Tsunoda – race across the start/finish line.

"We invite everyone to grab their friends, whānau or workmates and join us,” says Dickens. “Your participation is more than just a fun day on the track. The funds raised will allow us to continue providing essential wrap-around services to the 42,000 men and their whānau living with prostate cancer in Aotearoa.”

Registrations are welcome from riders of all experience levels and ages over 13 years. Riders can enter solo or in teams of two or four people.

Online registrations are open until Friday, 10 October, with in-person registration available at the track until 8:30am on the morning of the event for any last-minute signups.

Facts about prostate cancer:

• Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand with around 4,000 diagnosed every year [exceeding breast cancer levels], at an average of 10 every day.
• Prostate cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer, and the third highest for all sexes (behind lung and bowel cancers).
• More than 700 men die on average every year from prostate cancer.
• Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.
• 61% of prostate cancer survivors say they had no symptoms when diagnosed.
• A PSA blood test is all it takes to start the process – simple and quick.
• Anyone can get prostate cancer, including transgender women, male-assigned non-binary or intersex people.

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