Amanda Vaughan
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 19, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - BHP Billiton hosted a fundraising bike ride from Yellowknife to Behchoko on Sept 9, and hopes to help it bloom into an annual event.

"That's a commitment that the president of our company is certainly interested in," said Deana Twissell, senior external affairs officer for the mining company.

Blair Durnford passes the second checkpoint during the Sept. 9 Bike to Behchoko hosted by BHP Billiton. - Amanda Vaughan/NNSL photo

Twissell was the organizer of the event, which saw 47 people sign up to ride the 102 kilometres to Behchoko, some by themselves, and some in relay teams.

"We had 28 solo riders and five relay teams," said Twissell.

Riders got up early in the morning, and started out on Highway 3 shortly after 9 a.m. The fastest solo rider, Laval St. Germain, crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 39 minutes.

The event raised money for programs for elders, youth and persons with disabilities in Behchoko.

"The money is going to the Behchoko community government, and they are going to disperse it to programs in the community," said Twissell.

She said BHP approached the Tlicho government to choose a community group to receive the funds, and rather than pick just one organization, they chose to have the money spread among programs benefiting the three groups of citizens.

The race raised $7,066 through registration fees and corporate donations. Twissell said she is happy considering that the entire event went from idea to reality in about four weeks.

"It was hugely successful, more than we ever imagined," Twissell said.

BHP paid for all of the necessary race equipment that was not donated, so that the registration fees could be donated. Three companies with employees in the race, including BHP, donated $1 for every kilometre covered by their people.

The race had four checkpoints, each sponsored by different local companies, and several companies also donated items for the racers.

In spite of the cold weather, spirits were high at the second checkpoint Sept. 9.

BHP employee Pia Williams was checking off the riders as they came past.

"Making sure everyone is accounted for," Williams said.

According to Twissell, the winners of the race were: Laval St. Germain in the men's solo riders; there was a tie between Linda DuFour and Heather Scott in the women's solo riders; and the relay team to come in first was Angus Smith and Ryan Mahler.