When the Test of Metal riders hit the trails to participate in the gruelling 67-kilometer race on June 19, another gang of racers will be following not so closely on their heels.
The Linda Carney Rotary Cares Celebrity Challenge has entertained spectators and raised money for Squamish residents who need help with medical bills for the past 12 years.
Last year's challenge included local "celebrities" racing in costume and even on a couple of horses. The horseback riders return this year along with dozens of other high profile racers, including Owen Carney, Ueli Liechti, Heidi Drygas, Jude Goodwin, Laurie Vanzella, Lino Vanzella, Brian Raiser, Kevin Haberl and Bruce Lebans.
And this year's event introduces another interesting twist to the pledging method, thanks to modest hometown favourite and two-time Test of Metal winner Neal Kindree.
After sustaining an injury a few years ago, Kindree could not enter the Test of Metal, and so opted to race for the Linda Carney Care fundraiser. Now that he's back in Test of Metal competition form, he wants the best of both worlds.
"I wanted to find a way to raise money but still participate in a competitive sense," said Kindree.
Kindree will be putting his reputation and racing skills to good use by taking the regular pledge theory and turning it into a "down to the second 50-50 betting game."
Interested sponsors are invited to guess Kindree's final time and put $10 on as many timeslots as they want at any of the three bike shops in town - Tantalus, Republic or Corsa. Sponsors can choose slots for every second, keeping in mind Kindree's 2006 race time was 2:44:48 and his 2007 race time was 2:40:04.
"It's interesting," said Kindree. "Because say something happens and I get a flat tire or something crazy and it takes me five hours to complete the race, the guy who thought that just might happen could win the money."
Half the money raised will go to the Linda Carney Rotary Cares fund and the other half will be awarded to the person with the most accurate guess.
Kindree said he's glad he found a way to incorporate fundraising into the race.
"I've raced it [Test of Metal] lots before and throwing something else into the mix makes it that much more exciting and meaningful," he said.
The Linda Carney fund goes to help people in the community with conditions requiring medical assistance not covered by the Medical Service Plan. Since the fund's creation, more than $225,000 has been distributed locally to those in need.
"The money is raised in Squamish, and it stays in Squamish," said Rotary member and charity race organizer Bianca Peters.
Kindree has been competing in the Test since 1999 when he competed as a 12-year-old, but he has no idea what to expect this year.
"Obviously, once you've won it, you're not going to be satisfied with second, third or fourth but I truthfully don't think I'm capable of winning it right now," he said. "But I'm going to try."
He's not even sure what his timing will be.
"I did a pre-ride and it took 3:05 and you could probably safely knock about 10 minutes off that come race day. But it also depends on mechanical problems and weather conditions."
Kindree has specified all the rules and regulations on his Facebook page where he'll also be posting the amount of money raised on a daily basis.
He will not be permitted to wear a timepiece during the event and charitable tax receipts will be available for those who donate $50 or more. Check out the Facebook website by searching "Linda Carney Rotary Cares 50/50 Fundraiser" or email Kindree at [email protected].
