24h of Cycling outstanding achievement

With $454,000 raised, Tremblant’s 24h of Cycling fundraiser last month at Le Circuit has achieved in its second year what the 24-hour ski marathon achieved only in its fifth year. The comparison underscores the affirmation of Simon Saint-Arnaud, the producer of both events, that the funds raised in the cycling event will quickly surpass by far the phenomenal sums (some $8,000,000) raised in the 24h of Skiing!

The considerable funds raised for various causes – battling cancer, helping underprivileged children, promoting healthy lifestyles and others – speak eloquently of the generosity of all participants. The spirit of giving and sponsors’ goodwill have become a hallmark of the region. Equally impressive, as the event showed clearly, is the organizational excellence led by Simon Saint-Arnaud and his 25-member organizing committee including production director Marc Monchamp and 200 volunteers. By any standards, it is world-class and deserves high praise.

One would have to have been on Le Circuit’s grounds to appreciate the task and its accomplishment; to have seen the long row of white tents along the track pits housing the participating teams; the orderly clusters of participants’ RVs, camping trailers and tents on the track infield; the many tents on the track approach housing cycling equipment and various services including massage tables; the tent lounge adjacent to the track; the large dining tent and the huge van housing kids’ electronic interactive cycling modules. One would also have to have seen how the over-48-hour program flowed so smoothly, starting with a party Friday evening for the 845 riders, the participants’ breakfast Saturday morning, the captains’ briefing before the race, the almost one-kilometre-long file of 500 riders following a score of children on the preliminary Tour de Julien around the track, the night lighting all along the 4.26-kilometre track, the seminar with Pierre Lavoie and the concerts on the stage in front of a bonfire. The website, using innovative ODE (Online Donation technology) that  simplifies the donation process, also played an important role in the event’s fundraising success.

All of this organization allowed participants, their families, donors and sponsors to share the spirit of giving and achievement. The marathon is gruelling, more so than the 24h of Skiing, according to the riders, but the smiling faces throughout the weekend were visible testimony to the widespread enthusiasm it generated.
“This year’s 24h giving children a prominent role raised greater awareness of the enterprise among youth,” said Simon. “It sent an important message.” He added, “The event took a giant leap over last year’s and it will continue to grow. Now, with Mont Tremblant looming in the background, it’s time to get ready for the 24h of Skiing.”

André Courey, journalist