THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and Tourism Thunder Bay are pleased to provide $5,000 in funding support for the inaugural 2022 High Noon 24Hr Trail Race & Relay.
UpRiver Running (www.upriverrunning.com) will be hosting an inaugural Country-Western themed 24 hour trail running event that challenges runners to complete as many laps as they can in one day.
The event is scheduled to occur from 12:00pm Saturday, June 25th to 12:00pm Sunday, June 26th. Participants had the option to sign up as an individual runner or as a relay team of 4 or 8. The event will take place on cross-country trails at Kamview Nordic Centre.
Applicants of the Tourism Development Fund are encouraged to leverage partnerships and other financial resources in order to maximize the growth of Thunder Bay’s tourism economy. The High Noon 24Hr Trail Race & Relay has additional local sponsorships for the event coming from Fresh Air Experience and Marostica Subaru, as well as generous prize donations from Gear Up For Outdoors.
“Hosting a new event comes with its own set of challenges,” states Antonio Stefanile, Race Director. “With the incredible support of our community and wonderful sponsors, we’re confident that our High Noon 24Hr event will be an exciting and memorable one for participants and spectators.”
The CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides financial support to projects and events with the capacity to attract more visitors to Thunder Bay, increase visitor spending, and generate room nights at local accommodations. The fund is supported by tax revenues collected quarterly on short-term stays at local hotels, motels, and other accommodation providers at the rate of 4%. The CEDC and Tourism Thunder Bay administer 50% of the total collected tax revenues in support of the continued growth of tourism focused events and products.
“The number of visitors an event will attract is key when applying to the CEDC Tourism Event Fund,” says John Cameron, Tourism Development Officer.
“The High Noon running event is unique with the potential to attract runners from destinations within a day’s drive of Thunder Bay and those who want to fly in for this outdoor experience,” adds Cameron,
He notes this event further promotes the opportunity for the recreational interest in Thunder Bay’s extensive trails network by visitors whether it be for running, hiking, or biking in summer or cross-country skiing and fat biking in the winter.