A total of 190 snowmobilers passed through the Forfar Community Hall on Feb. 20, each one of them participating in the Athabasca River Runners annual snowmobile rally.
It may not have been the biggest turnout that they have ever had ñ with Mother Nature holding back on snow for the 75km short trail and the 90km long trail ñ but River Runners communications co-ordinator Lynn Olsen was far from disappointed.
ìWe were very happy with the turnout,î said Olsen. ìItís slightly down from last year, but considering the snow conditions that we have this year we are very happy with it. We groomed the rally route earlier this week. So, we at least knew that we were going to be able to hold it. But, everyone seemed happy with the trails, even with the lack of snow this year.î
The event is a slight spinoff of a traditional poker rally. Instead of collecting cards, the riders collected numbered poker chips at each of the five checkpoints. Itís a system that Olsen believes is more honest and fair.
ìItís just so nobody can cheat,î she said. ìWeíll draw five random chips and the closet one to the number will win that prize. You wouldnít think people try and cheat, but people do. So, it just eliminates that possibility.î
The annual rally had a much greater ratio of non-locals riding along the trails this year. According to Olsen, about three quarters of the riders were from outside Athabasca.
ìWe had a huge turnout of people not of this area,î she said. ìLots of other rallies have been canceled this year, so I think people were really keen to get out and just ride.î
ìWe had people travel from Fort McMurray, Lloydminster and as far as Sundre,î she added. ìThat is just amazing to me. Theyíre all awesome for travelling that far, and for a lot of them it isnít their first time travelling that far to enjoy our rally.î
