Riders in the inaugural Canada Day Dog Run bike race in Alert Bay gather with their trophies for a photo at the sea wall Sunday, July 1, 2012.

Riders in the inaugural Canada Day Dog Run bike race in Alert Bay gather with their trophies for a photo at the sea wall Sunday, July 1, 2012.

Riders debut Alert Bay race

The inaugural Dog Run bike race in Alert Bay a success

ALERT BAY—The North Island saw the successful run of a new mountain bike race this Canada Day.

The Alert Bay Dog Run, a fundraiser for animal rescue, drew a modest 13 competitors for a race around the island.

The cross-country race was a mix of grueling climbs, smooth and “flowy” runs, hair-raising downhills, and some pretty technical stump jumping.

The race drew some local talent as well as some riders from the Comox Valley, Victoria and Vancouver. First place in the  men’s category went to Bryan Anderson who completed the approximately 10-k ride in 45 minutes. Women’s first place was taken by Alert Bay local, Anne Dalton, in 65 minutes.  Second in men’s and women’s went to Matt Powsey and Natashia Lockey.  Several hundred dollars were raised for animal rescue during the event which uses the money for emergency veterinarian care.

With reporting from David Faren

 

North Island Gazette