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Final Phat Wednesday raises $3,500

The third annual "F*ck Cancer Chainless A-Line Downhill" race, the eighth and final event in the Phat Wednesday Downhill Series, was up to its usual awesome on Aug. 28, with about 215 racers shrugging off the rain to get one last race run in.
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The third annual "F*ck Cancer Chainless A-Line Downhill" race, the eighth and final event in the Phat Wednesday Downhill Series, was up to its usual awesome on Aug. 28, with about 215 racers shrugging off the rain to get one last race run in.

Racers had to take their chains off to take part, rewarding flow and pumptrack skills, as well as a minimum of braking. Complicating things, costumes have become a traditional part of the race, and riders tackled the course as creatively as possible.

Nick Geddes went on to win the fundraiser that was created in his honour back when he was going through treatment for leukemia, posting a time of four minutes and 21.12 seconds in the Open Male category. Chris Kovarik was second in 4:21.40, while Matt Walker placed third with a 4:25.07. Also in the top 10 were Zander Geddes (Nick's younger brother), Adam Billinghurst, Peter Mathews. Harry Armstrong, Remy Metailler, Cameron Allonby and Shawn Neer.

Claire Buchar has been the top woman in every race after missing the first event, placing first once again with a time of 4:46.23. Sarah Leishman was a close second in 4:47.11, Rebecca McQueen was third in 4:57.43 and the top 10 included Katrina Strand, Leonie Picton, Lula Darquier, Jolion Sidonie, Lisa Mason, Kelly-Ann Rooney and Joen Hoare.

Jack Iles won the Junior Male race in 4:29.52, over 16 seconds ahead of the next racer. Isaac Marangoni was second in 4:45.65 and Brad Jansen third in 4:50.68. In the top 10 were Tom Peele, Tyler Tourond, Adison Macdonald, Drew Vanunen, Alex Auger, Bracken Camilleri and Jackson Bathgate, who tied for eighth with a combined costume.

Mathieu Hebert was first in Master Male in 4:34.23, followed by Andrew Gunn in 4:38.19 and John Moon in 4:45.08. In the top 10 were Chad Hendren, Adam Dagg, Jerome David, Greg West, Austin Ling, Ales Drvota and Alex Attard.

As well as the usual awards, the series also recognized the overall series winners. Only the top seven out of eight results counted, and the worst result was dropped.

In Open Men, Chris Kovarik finished with four wins and two second place results to place first with 1,280 points, followed by Tyler Allison with 990 and Remy Metailler with 895.

In Junior Male, Jack Iles was first with wins in six of the eight races he took part in for a total of 1,200 points. Isaac Marangoni was second with 975 point and Finn Iles third with 820 points.

In Open Female, Claire Buchar won seven out of the seven races she entered for a total of 1,400 points. Lula Darquier and Leonie Picton tied for second with 790 points each.

In Master Male, Andrew Gunn didn't win any races but was consistently fast and didn't miss an event to finish with 930 points. Luke Radnor was second with 821 and Mathieu Hebert third with 780 points in five races, including two wins.

There was a raffle to raise money for the cancer centre at B.C. Children's Hospital with prizes that included a 2013 Rock Shox Boxxer fork, a bike park pass for 2014, a Sram X0 Drive Train and Oakley Goggles. Through the raffle tickets and live auction some $3,500 was raised.

As well, to round out the evening there was a draw for a 2013 Giant Glory downhill bike. You needed to be at least three races or participate in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park's "Men's Night" classes on Tuesdays to win, and there were over 2,000 names in the bucket, with junior rider Addison MacDonald riding away with a new bike.

Bike Park adds events to calendar

The downhill mountain bike race season is not over yet. On Sunday, Sept. 15, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park will host a "Phat Weekend" race in the Garbanzo Zone, putting up a prize purse of $1,500 for riders taking part. There will be a $20 fee to enter.

As well, Whistler Blackcomb will be hosting a second enduro event on Saturday, Sept. 28. Details are still to be announced.

And in October, the bike park is hosting its fourth annual Chasse au Terror event, a massive scavenger hunt in the bike park on Thanksgiving Sunday, Oct. 12, complete with the now traditional turkey dinner for participants.

Details at www.whistlerbike.com.