In addition, the company has developed a mobi site that will allow supporters who are there on the day to follow the participants’ progress during the event.

MapIT will be working in partnership with Altech Netstar, who will provide their Boomerang units for the live tracking. The digital map - which has been developed by MapIT specifically for the race - will feature a tab called ‘Tracking’. This is where the live tracking information provided by Altech Netstar will be fed, and will include the name of the charity, the name of the cyclist, the cyclist’s progress, and a link to donate to the charity. The tabs will be available for viewing before the event, but the actual tracking will only go live on the day.

The eight charities that will be tracked on the day include: Riding for Rainbows, The Cows, Reach for a Dream (Nedbank Dream Riders), Pink Chicks, Starfish Charity, Philile Foundation, Smile Foundation and the Mad Charity.

“The live tracking tool will allow supporters and the involved charities to really feel part of the action,” says Etienne Louw, managing director of MapIT. “In addition, the feature will go a long way in raising awareness of the different charities involved and in recognising the efforts of the cyclists representing them.”

The updated web map will also feature various interactive tools, as well as a user-friendly design and layout. A detailed route profile has been developed to assist cyclists in preparing for the race and planning their strategies. In addition, popular social media application Twitter has been integrated into the map, allowing users to ‘tweet’ (#cyclechallenge) and interact with friends while on the site. Other major features include accurate street level zooming, automated routing function to plan and navigate around road closures, medical and water point locations and a 360-degree interactive street view of selected sections of the route.

“The race has become an important event on the local calendar, and we are incredibly proud to be involved and contributing our expertise for good causes,” adds Louw.

MapIT’s enhanced route map can be found on the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge website and accessed on the menu tab. Click on ‘route’ to go to the page where you have different route options and select the ‘interactive route map’ link.

The race will be held in Johannesburg on 20 November.