Albertans are past the halfway mark of a month-long Bike-A-Thon in support of the Cochrane to Calgary trail project.
With the end of the fundraiser in sight, Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung and Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards are raising the stakes with a contest to see who can raise the most money before the finish line of June 30.
Richards even went so far as to drop the gauntlet in the House of Commons on June 15, when he had an opportunity to highlight local happenings in his riding.
“The mayor of Cochrane, Jeff Genung, and I are in a friendly competition to see who can raise more,” said Richards to the sitting members of the House. “I encourage everyone in our communities to join us in supporting the important project, whether you collect sponsorships and get out for a ride or make a pledge to the Cochrane to Calgary trail.”
As part of a greater vision to build a cycling/pedestrian trail that eventually connects Calgary to Lake Louise, Richards emphasized the successes of paving the Legacy Trail between Canmore and Banff, as well as the existing trails throughout Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
The MP also name-dropped the Rotary Club of Cochrane and Area for their efforts leading the project and highlighted the work of Trail Steering Committee members Alex Baum and Dan Kroffat, along with some of the Bike-A-Thon’s partnering organizations. Those include the Kiwanis Club, Bike Cochrane, Sport 4 Life Cochrane, Garmin and Big Hill Cycle.
“Being something that I’ve had as one of my big visions and goals for some time – to see this trail built – it seemed like the perfect thing to highlight,” Richards said in an interview with the Eagle.
Genung said he takes his hat off to Cochrane’s MP for bringing the local fundraising effort all the way to parliament, but vowed he will not be out-fundraised by Richards.
“I’m asking all of the people that support me and Cochrane to rise to the challenge and let’s show Blake Richards who can raise the most money here,” he said.
As of writing, the mayor’s GoFundMe sits at $905. Richards said he wasn't sure how much has been donated to his endeavour, but he is personally matching all donations made through a Bike-A-Thon fundraiser form set up on his website.
Genung said he’s been accumulating as many kilometres on his bike as he can in support of the event and in an effort to push Cochrane to the front of the other communities competing across Canada for $100,000 in ParticipACTION’s Community Better Challenge – also happening throughout June.
“These events are great examples of how we can bring and raise awareness for the trail project while just being active at the same time,” he said.
On July 3, the trail fundraiser will wrap with a free event in the parking lot of Cochrane Toyota, where organizers will tally how much was raised throughout the month. In addition, over $10,000 worth of prizes will be given away, including an e-bike from Big Hill Cycle and giveaways from Garmin, with draws happening every half-hour.
All are welcome to attend the event and free food will also be provided.
Trail Steering Committee member Dan Kroffat said there is also a possibility the name of the trail will be announced, so long as it has been determined by then.
Genung said he plans to be in attendance and joked that if Richards doesn’t show, he will consider the challenge a forfeit.
“If Blake’s not going to be there, then I’m going to consider that as him relinquishing the challenge and admitting defeat,” he said. “We’ll have some fun with this, it’s all for a good cause.”
In response, Richards said he “never runs" from a challenge.
“I do plan to be at the wrap-up to show the mayor that we’ve topped him in donations,” he said. “But no matter what happens, the real winner is the trail initiative.”
