Sarnia's Bluewater International Granfondo continues to grow.
The 3rd annual cycling event raised more than $60,000 this year, compared to $30,000 in the first year and $50,000 in year two.
The money will benefit St. Joseph's Hospice and Bluewater Health Palliative Care.
Race committee chair Ken MacAlpine says the money raised will do a lot for the community.
“We feel that we will have one of the best palliative care hospices and the best palliative care possibly in Canada and certainly Ontario.”
MacAlpine says cyclists are already looking forward to returning for next year's Granfondo.
"A lot of out of town people were amazed at how the water in Sarnia is, how nice Mike Weir Park is, and in a lot of ways Sarnia is a hidden gem for people as close as London, Woodstock and Toronto," says MacAlpine. "Everyone's telling us their coming back for next year's 4th annual event, which will be August 4th, 2019."
MacAlpine says with Sunday's hot weather reaching 31 C (88F) and the humidex peaking at 41 C (106F), they went through twice the amount of water they expected to use.
He also says they had one accident that brought a few riders down.
Around 900 cyclists from across North America and Europe competed in the 50 km, 100 km and 150 km races.
