The second largest fundraiser for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital foundation is getting a whole lot bigger in 2023, as the Gran Fondo is set to expand to a full weekend celebration.
The annual road race draws in participants from all over, and organizers wanted to give them more to do over the weekend ahead of Sunday’s main event.
Next year, they’re looking to offer a kids race on the Saturday afternoon and a “Bruce County Bash” at the Southampton Coliseum that night. They’ll also be offering a 10K race on Sunday for those who want to take part but find the larger loops daunting, as well as a gravel trail route.
Tracy Murray, Executive Director of the foundation says they’re looking to appeal to a wider audience with some of the changes.
“We’re looking to offer more things, for people who are coming from out of town, but also to our own local residents, to showcase the Gran Fondo and offer some different options for those who maybe aren’t up for a 30 or 70 km ride,” she says. “We hope to grow it each year, maybe add some new stuff, until it becomes a an annual, very well-known weekend festival.”
The foundation’s largest fundraiser, their Light the Way campaign, takes place now until the end of the year.