The local organizer of a 24-hour ski and snowboard relay event has set a lofty goal for 2024: to raise a quarter of a million dollars for two local charities.
Coming up on Feb. 24 and 25, the event, 24H Blue MTN, welcomes all level of skiers and snowboarders to join in teams and spend 24 hours taking turns on the Smart Alec run.
Inspired by the original event at Mont Tremblant, local resident and 24H Blue MTN co-organizer Michael Ney pitched the idea to Blue Mountain Resort as a way to support Special Olympics and Collingwood's General and Marine Hospital. It's been running for about six years with a hiatus during the pandemic.
Teams, said Ney, should ideally be about 10-12 people. With a team of 12, each skier or snowboarder can take a two-hour shift, or two one-hour shifts. The team member doing the runs at the time will have a time chip on them to count runs and track times for prizes. They can also have a buddy from their team on the hill with them for company in those lonely hours after midnight.
The Cascade room is set up for napping and snacking between shifts.
This year, Ney and his team have brought back the run/walk component of the event for people who don't ski or snowboard. There will be a walking track cleared for participants to walk or run in loops during the 24-hours.
The event begins with an opening ceremony led by a parade of Special Olympic athletes and four-time Olympian Brian Stemmle. The parade continues as the event torch is escorted to the Blue Mountain Village Square and accompanied by the Beaver Valley Pipes and Drums band. After words from dignitaries and representatives of both the hospital and Special Olympics, there's a 100-metre dash to the chairlift for the Special Olympics and the relay event begins.
"When the athletes are running towards the chair, people are cheering, some have cowbells that they're drinking," said Ney. "It makes you feel warm and good inside."
Ney said he’s hoping for 30 teams to participate, which would be about 350 participants. Registration is open now and, as of last week, there were about 23 teams signed up. He said the fundraising goal is $250,000, a total he thinks is feasible for 2024.
The costs of the event have been covered through sponsorships, meaning that the money raised through pledges will all be donated.
In 2022, there were 30 teams and about $155,000 was raised. In 2023 the event raised $160,000.
The event will include entertainment and activities throughout the 24 hours.
The registration fee of $160 per person covers the cost of lift tickets for those without passes, closing the Smart Alec run for the event, breakfast, and renting the Cascade Room. The suggested fundraising target for each individual is at least $250. Registrants get a tax receipt for their $160 registration fee.
The event takes place from noon on Feb. 24 to noon on Feb. 25 with the Smart Alec run and a chair on the lift reserved for relay participants.
To register or find out more about the event, visit the website at 24hbluemtn.ca.
