July 15/06 8:29 am - Tour de Gastown to Donate to BC Cancer Foundation

Posted by Editoress on 07/15/06
 

Vancouver's 26th Annual Tour de Gastown is "On a Roll" for a Great Race and a Good Cause

Funds raised on race day will be donated to the BC Cancer Foundation

The 26th Annual Tour de Gastown on July 19th, is once again set to be a big day in B.C. It begins with a family bike festival during the day and then a thrilling 1.2 km race through the district's historic cobblestone streets, where over 180 elite racers will compete for over $15,000 dollars in prize money. The course has plenty of viewing opportunities for the thousands of fans vying to catch their favourite racers in action. And it's not just cycling enthusiasts who benefit from the Tour's exciting events. Funds raised at the Tour de Gastown will once again be donated to the BC Cancer Foundation in combination with other events hosted by the Wedgewood Cycling Team. Last year the cycling team raised over $100,000 for the Foundation, in support of research and care at the BC Cancer Agency throughout B.C.

"The Tour de Gastown has become a great fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation," says Foundation President and CEO Mary McNeil. "It is an exciting way to celebrate some of the world's best athletes and support a major local cause and we are proud to be part of this prestigious event."

The Tour de Gastown is the centerpiece of BC Superweek, Canada's most prestigious week of bike racing. The event attracts many of the top racers in North America, in front of Canada's largest racing crowdËœlast year alone over 35,000 people turned out for race day! Past winners of the Tour de Gastown include seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, Gord Fraser, Gina Grain and North Vancouver's Allison Sydor.

The day schedule for the Tour de Gastown on July 19, 2006 is:

1:00pm-5:00pm - Bike Festival events

6:15pm - Women's race

7:30pm - Men's Race

More information on The Tour de Gastown is available online at www.tourdegastown.com.