By Megan Chase, Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Beachburg) — Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association (BORCA) Spring Chicken saw many smiling, happy faces before the race. Beachburg was full of bicycles and cyclists of all kinds. Those faces quickly changed to determination upon entering the first forest trail.
The bake sale table led by Dawn Dube raised $750.00, some of which is earmarked for the Whitewater Flood Disaster Relief Fund.
Drawing a crowd of around 300 people, the feeling of community was infectious as people of all ages and backgrounds raced along the roads, through the trails and down into ditches.
“I’m not racing, I’m finishing,” said participant Jessica Barton of Beachburg, who rode in the event with her husband and two children.
No matter the skill level, organizer Cameron Dube encourages participants to come out and try the event.
“It’s one of, if not the largest, unsanctioned bike race in Ontario,” he said. The race has been running for almost 10 years and grows in size every time. Mr. Dube is blown away by the support he receives from the community.“I grew up here, this is my home,” said Mr. Dube, as he took the time to help his father direct riders coming out of the forest and into the ditch.
The team atmosphere was contagious and people cheered even louder when the children would take their turn coming out of the forest.
The BORCA Spring Chicken is Ontario’s early-season marathon XC. It is BORCA’s largest fundraising event to create purpose-built singletrack for mountain biking and to continue maintaining the existing singletrack in the Beachburg area and the Township of Whitewater Region.
Results of the race are listed below:
28km Ladies, Overall
1st, Maude Plouffe 01:38:50.40
2nd, Nic Coles 01:53:47.00
3rd, Patricia Konantz 02:01:45.55
28km Men, Overall
1st, Nicholas Bundza 01:36:02.74
2nd, Unknown 01:39:21.43
3rd, Teagan McGuire 01:38:51.12
60km Ladies, Overall
1st, Suzanne Harrison 03:56:45.64
2nd, Alicia Berthiaume 04:13:19.03
3rd, Amy Fahlman 05:35:36.00
60km Men, Overall
1st, Osmond Bakker 03:04:39.08
2nd, Phillippe Lanthier 03:08:10.69
3rd, James McGuire 03:17:19.44
