Submitted by Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club

Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club member Glenn Dobie is exuberant this week in the aftermath of last Saturday’s Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, which attracted 430 cyclists, the largest number of participants in the event’s four-year history.

“With incredible business sponsorship support and great support from the community as well as other Rotary clubs and service group support, we have built and established a world class Fondo right here in Cranbrook and Kimberley,” he said. “The cyclists continually tell us we are the most fun, friendliest and best organized Fondo they’ve ever participated in.”

A comment from one of the cyclists in the event sums it up best, Dobie says. “The communities of Cranbrook and Kimberley should be proud of the top notch quality volunteers who made the KRGF so enjoyable. The venue and everything was absolutely outstanding. Can’t wait until next year.”

With a record number of cyclists this year, Dobie says he’s optimistic the event will hit the 500 mark before the final registration next year. The fifth annual Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo takes place Saturday Sept. 9, 2017.

The event is a fundraiser for the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club and a winner for the community at large because most of the money raised goes right back into the community, says Dobie. Recipients include the Mark Creek Lions, Wasa Lions, Crime Stoppers, the Canada Animal Disaster Rescue Team, the Mt. Baker Girls Volleyball Team, the Kimberley Volunteer Ski Patrol and others.

Some $14,500 has been donated to the NorthStar Rails-to-Trails Society alone over the past four years and other funds have been donated to the Elementary School iRide Program, planning with the City of Cranbrook for installation of bike racks through the downtown area and other community-based service projects.

Many riders came from Southern Alberta including Calgary and Lethbridge while others came from all over B.C. and as far away as Austin, Texas and Oxford, England.

The Pedal and Tap Restaurant King and Queen of the Ft. Steele Hill winners were in the male class Brad Pilling of Okotoks, AB (4.04”) while Charlene Owen of Calgary won in the female class with a time of 5.18 minutes. The Masters Winner in the male class was John Woodson of Austin, Texas (4.24”) while the female winner was Susie Stewart of Calgary at 4.52”.

The Heid-Out Brewhouse Team Spirit Award went to Klostapukin of Lethbridge.

Photo submitted

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