The fourth annual Hospice Cup bike challenge took place on Sunday, Sept. 9. Four riders left at 1 p.m. from the North Thompson Funeral Services Clearwater office: Mitch Miller, Sam Willan, Jennifer Hewlett and Jan Westendorp.
Leaving from the Barriere office at the same time were Ward Stamer and Dennis Farquharson of Barriere, plus Drake Smith and Jean Nelson of Clearwater.
Barriere Mayor Bill Humphreys and Clearwater councilor Jon Kreke, via their cellphones, kicked off the race in both municipalities, and were on hand at the end for the presentation of the cup in Little Fort.
The Barriere team had a slight advantage this year, with a strong tailwind pushing them along. The point at which the teams met, at 31.73 km north of Barriere, set a new record. In previous years it was at 28, 26, and 25 km. The closest guess out of the 353 entries was by Vienna Moilliet of Vavenby, with a guess of 31.74 km.
As of Sunday afternoon, a total of $1682.54 had been raised, with a bit more to come in.
North Thompson Valley Hospice House Society president Steve White presented the cup to the Clearwater team. The cup will have a new plate engraved with Moilliet’s name on it before delivery to the District of Clearwater office for display until next year’s race.
– Margaret Houben