Gran Fondo event a great success

METEGHAN CENTRE — The Gran Fondo Baie Sainte Marie was a success as sunshine, ideal cycling temperatures made for a perfect experience for the almost 1,000 riders.

This was the fifth year for the Gran Fondo, the largest cycling event in Atlantic Canada, which provides a choice of five routes for participants.

“We have such an amazing team of organizers, volunteers, sponsors and community members who rally together to create a world class cycling and cultural event,” said Larry Peach, tourism manager for the Municipality of Clare and marketing coordinator for the Gran Fondo.

The top times for each division were:

Super 161 km: (male) Nicolas Muise, Yarmouth 4:42:13; (female) Kimberley Myles, Allendale, NJ 5:49:34

Gran 118 km: (m) Daniel Wilson, Toronto, 3:08:05; (f) Margarett Jones, Groton, CT 4:01:45 Mezzo 88.5 km: (m) Ethan McNutt, Valley, 2:47:16; (f) Kayla Murphy, Eastern Passage, 3:13:45 Medio 67 km: (m) J.P. Richards, Hammonds Plains, 2:07:40; (f) Sarah Robertson, Hammonds Plains, 2:13:25

Piccolo 35 km: (m) Ian White, Milton Highlands, NS 1:09:12; (f) Jaime Hatfield, Cedar Lake, NS 1:18:55.