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Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie returns for successful sixth edition

700 cyclists took to the road for the sixth edition of the Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie (GFBSM) on Sunday. September 10th in Nova Scotia

Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie returns to successful sixth edition

Located in the Municipality of Clare, situated on the shores of Baie Sainte-Marie in Southwest Nova Scotia, and home to the largest Acadian community, with a dozen coastal fishing villages stretching along the panoramic shores of Saint Mary’s Bay.

The event, held on the Université Sainte-Anne campus this year, saw 700 riders register in advance, with 55 per cent of participants attending the event for the first time. About 230 participants, 30 per cent of cyclists were from out the Atlantic province of Canada from as far afield as Austria, the United States and United Kingdom.

Over 900 meals were served to both cyclists and volunteers, including 641 lobsters dinners served, followed by 236 pork meals and 47 vegetarian meals.

The community spirit was off the charts as hundreds of local residents roll out the welcome mat and enthusiastically cheer cyclists on from the roadside, waving Acadian flags and banging pots and pans. Around 150 local volunteers were recruited to ensure the smooth logistics of the event.

Of the top finishing times, 5/6ths were completed by Nova Scotians, the sixth being awarded to a fellow Atlantic Canadian.

Larry Peach, marketing coordinator for the Gran Fondo, and tourism manager for the Municipality of Clare, was very pleased with the event.

"It was a thrill to see everyone again. So many smiles and so many new participants. It was a pleasant surprise to see that 30 per cent came from outside of Nova Scotia in a tough economy, and that 55 per cent were first-time participants," he said. "Those numbers show me the event still has room to grow in the future.”

Pam Doucet, chairperson of the Gran Fondo Organizing Committee, and director of Community Development for the Municipality of Clare said ""Gran Fondo 2023 was an absolute success!”"

“I am so proud of our team who work all year to plan the event, the volunteers who selflessly give their time, the community of Clare who supports us and the participants who show up to make the event a success." 

Top 3 Men

Gran (128 km) Colin Van Zoost M40 – 49 3:28:56 Dartmouth, NS, CA
Medio (67 km) Josh White M20 – 29 2:00:01 Victoria Vale, NS, CA
Piccolo (35 km) Michel Doucet M60 – 69 1:14:49 New Edinburgh, NS, CA

Top 3 Women

Gran (128 km) Dania Tamayo Vera F30 – 39 4:07:03 Stratford, PE, CA
Medio (67 km) Sandra Sullivan F60 – 69 2:08:47 Enfield, NS, CA
Piccolo (35 km) Kathryne Finnemore F40 – 49 1:24:57 Kentville, NS, CA

Click here for the full 2023 Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/tjxzauugubv43ha3/results?subEvent=60017&page=1