Supporting Olympians, paralympians and the Calgary-based Branch Out Neurological Foundation, the ATB Gran Fondo Highwood Pass ride rolls once again, Saturday (July 9) along Highway 40.
This year, the TransRockies Race Series is donating $5 to Branch Out for every registered rider at the Fondo to support neurological research.
To raise awareness about Branch Out, multiple sclerosis patient Allie Jenkins Bennet will ride the course on an e-trike.
“Riding the e-trike is such a free feeling when you often feel trapped in a body that does not function properly. I can’t wait to ride it at the ATB Gran Fondo Highwood Pass and support Branch Out,” Bennet said.
Speedskater and 2006 Olympic silver medallist Shannon Rempel, paralympic medalist Mark Arendz and several local racing studs such as Leighton Poidevin, Megan Dunn, Jon Firth and Devin Erfle, will join her.
“With both my mom and my best friend suffering from multiple sclerosis, the Branch Out Foundation hits close to home and I say ‘yes’ to every opportunity to help,” Rempel said.
“With such complex afflictions, whether post concussion, Parkinson’s, MS or Alzheimer’s, there’s a lot of work to do in understanding brain health, treatment and therapy,” said Crystal Phillips, executive director and co-founder of Branch Out.
Phillips helped kick off Branch Out after an episode with MS changed her life, altering the course of her career as a high performance speed skater. With sheer determination and commitment to a holistic recovery approach, her health has improved significantly.
Much of her recovery was done through road biking, which is the bond between Branch Out and the ATB Gran Fondo Highwood Pass.
“The connection between sport and recovery is significant and once we heard about Branch Out, we wanted to join their efforts to progress this important work,” said Aaron McConnell, President of TransRockies Race Series.
The 135-kilometre ride starts and finishes at Stoney Nakoda Resort on Highway 40, climbing the highest paved road in Canada.
