Riders gathered at Island Lake Lodge to take part in this year’s descent-heavy 2nd Annual Fernie Enduro Race on Saturday morning.
One hundred riders met up in Cedar Valley, prepared for a fun day of racing.
Event director Dan Savage was on hand to prep the riders for the day ahead and to cheer them on at the starting line.
Savage described the event as “more social and enjoyable” compared to other races given its unique set up, where only the descents are timed, giving riders the opportunity to catch up with their fellow participants between declines.
The descents in this year’s course included Verboton, Slunt/Brokenback and Project 9.
The event drew in all sorts of riders looking to have a good race, including first time participant Carter Nieuwesteeg.
“As a local racer I’ve only done the Fernie 3 and the Fernie Lungbuster, I wanted to switch it up a bit and try an enduro because I’m not a downhiller, I’m cross-country,” explained Nieuwesteeg. “I’m just going to take it easy and have fun today.”
Nieuwesteeg placed second in his age bracket – Under 19 — just ahead of David Nieuwesteeg and just behind Alexander Silverthorne.
Other podium finishers were Paul Sudlow, Torben Jensen and Robert De Grace in the Men’s 40+ and Tara Walmsley, Kim Dunn and Jenny Strong for the Women’s category.
Fernie local Nick Quinn took the top spot in the Men’s Open category with a time of 21:02, with Paul Kerfoot and Darcy Neniska rounding out the top three.
Prizes were given at the dinner following the race at the Fernie Golf & Country Club.