It had the second-highest number of participants and the first beer garden.
The Crosstoberfest cyclocross race in Ladysmith is being hailed as a huge success, thanks in part to the beauty of the course and to the volunteers and sponsors who made it happen.
Two hundred and eight people took part in the Crosstoberfest race Oct. 28 at Transfer Beach, as well as an additional 10 children ranging in age from three to eight.
“It’s the second-largest attended race on the Island and, I think, in the country, to date,” said Tara Pollock, the local organizer of the event.
Crosstoberfest was the fifth race in the Cross on the Rock series.
“I think things went really well,” said Pollock. “The Town of Ladysmith was fantastic in supporting this event, and Sue Glenn did an amazing job. The course was described as the most beautiful in the whole series, and the series organizer said it’s one of his favourite races. It has a technical component, it has scenery, flow, turns —all the things you want in a cyclocross race.”
The 208 participants were divided into seven divisions — Beginner Women, Beginner Men, Intermediate Women, Intermediate Men, Masters Men, Open Women, and Expert. The 2.5-kilometre route at Transfer Beach incorporated sand, pavement, grass, obstacles and stairs.
Pollock is excited that Crosstoberfest was an opportunity to share the beauty of Ladysmith with more people.
“The main thing [that stood out] was being able to have 208 people and all their family and spectators coming to Transfer Beach and showing off Transfer Beach and Ladysmith and what a beautiful place it is,” she said.
Pollock thanks local sponsors Bouma Meats and Ladysmith Parks, Recreation and Culture for making Crosstoberfest such a success, as well as the Ladysmith RCMP, sponsors such as Wolf Brewing Company and all the volunteers who gave their time.
“It’s a huge team effort,” she noted. “We had all the volunteers who put in the grunt work on the Saturday night before when it was rainy and windy, and that was outstanding to me.”
To view full race results, click here.
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Local Crosstoberfest Results
Beginner Women (three laps)
• 10 — Katherine Gonzales of Ladysmith (37:42)
Beginner Men (three laps)
• DNF — Alexander Daether of Chemainus
Intermediate Men (five laps)
• 22 — Mike Pollock of Ladysmith (41:23)