These are the businesses you should want to support

Cumberland’s Michael Gibson was the day’s fastest in the roughly half-distance sprint category. Photo: ROAM Media

On September 9, on the first wind-ravaged, rain-driven, truly West Coast day of the fall season, our fledgling non-profit hosted its first ever race: PACE Multisport Dodge City X, in Cumberland.

Despite the conditions, the event was a smashing success. Competitors who swam, mountain biked and ran their way through Canada’s toughest off-road triathlon have inundated us with raves about the enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteers and event organizers.

But now it’s my turn to rave, and I want to direct my attention to our sponsors, without whom none of this would have been possible. Thank you so much for your support, and for helping us pull off this ambitious race that some opined would be impossible to pull off.

The cost to put on this event was north of $20,000, a figure that would have stopped us from even trying had we not had an inkling about the generosity of our local business community. Through direct sponsorships and in-kind contributions, plus financial support from VIA Sport and the Province of British Columbia, we managed to cover all of those costs and even had a bit left over to contribute toward trail maintenance and forest stewardship.

Clay Ward, of Cumberland, was the overall winner of PACE Multisport Dodge City X. Photo: Sitka Creative

In return, we did our best to host a kick-ass event that people will be talking about for some time, and to leave them with nothing but fond associations with our sponsors. Their names and/or logos are emblazoned upon t-shirts, signs, brochures, posters and the like, but also in the hearts and minds of those of us who enjoy endurance sport. Speaking on behalf of local trail athletes, we know you’re on our side, and just as you’ve supported us, we’ll support you.

We’d like to acknowledge these partners one final time right here and now. Please don’t gloss over this list. Read every single name. These are the organizations that are keeping our communities healthy, active and able to enjoy the drive, passion and camaraderie of sport. These are the people with whom you ought to want to do business.

Thank you.