1st Annual "Get Pumped" 24hr Mountain Bike Challenge Raises $10,000!
The sun was shining on the morning of Saturday August 19th as 20 brave riders prepared to take on the gruelling 17km course through Albion Hills Conservation Area and raise money for the Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre’s “Get Pumped” Insulin Pump Program. All who took on the challenging 24hour relay, from elite rider to beginner, gave a tremendous effort and each performed extremely well!
The race began at noon with Team Leaders Mike Grass, Dennis Brushett, Don Gunn & solo rider Andy Kozak heading out in the pack. A friendly competition emerged between the 3 teams, each with impressive lap times. Team Saturn finished up as the top team however completing 18 laps in total! Team #2 with 16 laps & Team #1 finished with 15 laps.
Andy rode solo for the entire 24 hour race! Along with team members Pepe Bakshi, Kara Worgan & Dennis Brushett, the four proved how adults with Type 1 Diabetes can perform & excel in this kind physical endurance! Congratulations to you all for setting a wonderful example for all our Best Centre families!
The course proved full of challenges and many grazed trees or took spills from their bikes. Only a few bumps & scrapes and perhaps bruised egos though, thankfully. Even with the challenge of riding in the dark riders proved they could master any challenge. Hats off to Kara who persisted on her lap through a fall, bike trouble and finally her lights going out!
Other highlights of the event included crossing the ‘Gator Pit’, with Marvin Denis making the biggest splash!
A campfire warmed the late night atmosphere and all enjoyed only a few hours of sleep but maintained a high level of enthusiasm all weekend! Riders also enjoyed the support of cooked meals and plenty of water and snacks to fuel them through the race. Thanks to Marlene Grass, Sandy Hubbard & Sue Czop delicious meals were prepared all weekend. Marlene & Sandy were also on hand to provide nursing support for the riders with diabetes, thank you both for your support!
The biggest success of the weekend was the $10,000 raised by all participants! Financial support was also provided by Motorcity Saturn of Whitby & Rotary Clubs of Durham to cover all the expenses. Insulin pump suppliers Medtronic & Cozmore each committed to supply the Best Centre with pumps at a discount of 50%! And local No Frills, Food Basics, IGA & Price Chopper donated food & supplies.
Thank you to Pepe Bakshi, coordinator of the event and to Andy Kozak who initiated the whole idea of creating this fundraiser and promoted it through the media! THANK YOU to everyone who participated and made our premier event a huge success!