Granfondo Set To Roll Sunday

In three short years, Bluewater International Granfondo has grown into one of the top five or six races in Canada. Some 900 cyclists from across North America and Europe will compete in 50 km, 100 km and 150 km races Sunday, August 5. They include everyone from first-timers to Canadian National Team members, as well as Alex Steida who's the first North American to ever wear the yellow jersey as the leader of the Tour de France. Race committee chair Ken MacAlpine says it's a real boost for the local tourism industry. "I think we have a tremendous impact on the community," says MacAlpine. "Many of those 900 cyclists are from out-of-town. A lot of them stay overnight, spending money at hotels and restaurants. It's just incredible. When participants, friends and family, walk from Mike Weir Park where the start line is along Old Lakeshore Rd. and see how close we are to the lake, they're just amazed. You see countless people from across Canada, stopping and taking pictures. They just can't believe Sarnia-Lambton has such a beautiful landscape in which to cycle." There were 500 competitors in year one, 750 in 2017, and MacAlpine expects it will grow to 1,000 in 2019. Part of the proceeds will be given to St. Joseph's Hospice and Palliative Care at Bluewater Health. There will also be a first responders race this year.