LAHORE, Dec 13: The Hills Cycle race, the country’s toughest endurance event scheduled to be held on Dec 25 will carry a cash prize of Rs 10,000 for the winner.

Runners-up will receive Rs 5,000, while third position holder will pocket Rs 3,000. A nominal prize of Rs 2000 each will be awarded to the fourth and fifth position takers also.

The race will begin from Army Stadium, Rawalpindi at 10.00am and finish at Marhaba Hotel, Murree.

President of the Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF), Saleem Butt, said that in all 54 cyclists from eight affiliated units of the federation would take part in the race. Besides the four provinces, teams from Wapda, Army, Railways and Pakistan Ordnance Factory will send six cyclists each for the contest.

Haroon Rasheed (Wapda) is the defending champion who won the last event held five years before in 1997.

Saleem admitted that the race was a tough competition, and cash incentives should be given to all those cyclists who complete the race.

However, he went on to say that cycling was considered a poor man’s sport as a result of which they lacked sponsors and funds were difficult to obtain.

PCF which is organising the Hills station race after a lapse of five years, has also been delaying the Tour de Pakistan race which was due to be held last year.