Students issue fundraiser challenge
Today is the last day to register for Saturday’s Dirty Enduro mountain bike fundraiser
Mountain biking enthusiasts at Adam Scott Collegiate riding in this Saturday’s Dirty Enduro in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association are challenging other high schools students to also hit the trails while supporting a great cause.
It will be the sixth time the Adam Scott Mountain Biking Club takes part in the fundraiser and mental health awareness event, which is returning to Ganaraska Forest Centre south of Millbrook, science teacher Mark Mann said Wednesday.
The event, includes rides for all abilities from beginners to experts, he pointed out. “It’s a good combination of competition and fun. It’s a good quality race.”
The Dirty Enduro replaces the Paul’s Dirty Enduro, which was help annually for 20 years before a hiatus last year.
It was named after Paul Rush, a mountain biker who frequented the Ganaraska Forest who took his own life in 1996. His family and friends began the event as a memorial and to help the CMHA raise funds for suicide prevention.
Cyclists are invited to take part in 15, 30, 60 and 100-kilometre routes in the timed, Ontario Cycling Association-sanctioned event.
The 100K kicks off activities at 8 a.m., with the 60, 30 and 15K events following with respective starts of 11 a.m., 1 and 1:15 p.m. A kids minirace, sponsored by Shimano, will begin at 3 p.m. and an award ceremony will follow at about 4 p.m.
Mann and other educators involved with the club, which meets for weekly rides in areas like Harold Town Conservation Area and Jackson Park, encourage students to take part because of how it aligns with the culture staff work to develop at the school.
Grade 10 student Allison Westbrook, who won her age category at the last event two years ago, said the event provides ideal crosstraining for the cross country athlete. “I like getting out there and seeing the trails and challenging myself to do the harder trails.”
It will be the first competition for Grade 9 student Isaac Fortin, who pointed out how the event will help fund Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge suicide prevention and education programs.
“It’s a good cause to support mental health awareness,” he said.
Participants will get a hot lunch and are eligible for awards for both times and fundraising, organizers stated in a press release.
Online registration is open until Thursday at www.onlineregistrations.ca/DirtyEnduro. Day-of registration is also available and riders are asked to arrive one hour prior to start times.
For more information, call Ben Logan at 705-742-0511 or email fontainesourceforsports@bellnet.ca.
If you would like to volunteer or would like information regarding the local CMHA, contact manager of development Kerri Davies at 705-748-6687 ext. 1048 or kdavies@cmhahkpr.ca.
NOTE: The Ganaraska Forest Centre is located at 10585 Cold Springs Camp Rd., southwest of Millbrook, and accessed via County Rd. 28 and Northumberland County Rd. 9.