Mark Elliot and Ron Van Der Sluys awarded the 2023 Beacon Award

An act of outstanding behaviour and community spirit by local Perth riders Mark Elliot and Ron Van Der Sluys has seen them receive the 2023 Beacon Award.

Last year, Mark and Ron were competing in the pairs category and were riding towards the finish at CBCo Brewery on day three, when they saw another rider standing with a lost boy on the side of the trail.

Mark asked him if he could ride a bike and when he replied he could, Mark put the seat down on his own bike and let the boy ride beside Ron. With Mark running alongside for nearly 4km until they reached the next check point, where they were quickly able to reunite the boy with his family.

While this had a significant impact on their stage time and result, the pair showed their incredible community spirit and worthy recipients of the 2023 Beacon Award - rewarded with free entry to the 2024 Cape to Cape.

The Beacon Award is a perpetual trophy awarded to an individual who represents the culture and spirit of the Cape to Cape, a shining light of the event. The award is in honour of our friend and ambassador Johnny Waddell, who overcame a serious injury and is back on the bike against all odds, loving life and riding hard.