The Betty Riel Foundation Excited to Host 2nd Annual Triathlon
Last August, local non-profit The Betty Riel Foundation hosted a triathlon—the first of its kind in the Chateauguay Valley. This year, the charity will carry on the tradition—the second annual triathlon will be held on Saturday, June 4th.
Like last year, the event will kick off at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School in Ormstown, with the race taking participants through Huntingdon and Dewittville before returning to the school for a good old-fashioned feast and ceremony. All funds raised will go to The Betty Riel Foundation, a committee dedicated to providing chauffeured transportation, alongside collaborator Service d’Accompagnement Bénévole et Communautaire (SABEC), to local cancer patients headed into the city of Montreal for treatments. In 2015, the foundation supplied 600 trips to those in need, averaging around 50 trips a month. Since its inception, the foundation has provided 2,866 trips to cancer patients seeking treatment—an illness that has claimed the lives of countless Canadians.
Racers are to travel a total of 31 kilometres, broken up into three sections—cycling, kayaking and on foot. Teams of three are recommended, but some may go it alone (a feat that was affectionately dubbed the “Full Monty” last year). While last year’s race took place in August, the 2016 triathlon is scheduled for June due to the water levels of the Chateauguay River. Locals should note that while the race is scheduled for June, it will not take the place of The Betty Riel Foundation’s annual walk, which is instead set to take place on the 1st of October this year.
In 2015, the foundation saw 25 teams buckle down and race—this year, it looks like that number will double. Foundation founder Betty Riel is thrilled about the community’s enthusiasm towards the race. “There’s a lot of physically active people around here—so many people want to participate!” exclaimed Riel when asked about the event. The board, which consists of seven members, is made up of a group of very dedicated people. In anticipation of the triathlon, they have been meeting once every two weeks.
Riel’s efforts to help those in need have not gone unrecognized. Working alongside many dedicated volunteers, Riel has made it possible for community members to receive the treatment that they need without the hassle or cost of transportation. This month, Riel was honoured by the MRC du Haut St-Laurent with their Volunteer of the Year award at the MRC’s first ever Volunteer Recognition Show on April 15th.
“I was floored. It was amazing to be recognised—it meant a lot to me,” said Riel. She was selected out of 26 other nominees for her commitment to giving back to the community.
How to Register for the Triathlon:
Racers are encouraged to register early, as the deadline is set for mid-May. The options are as follows:
-For a three-person team, participants must raise $100 minimum per person (teens aged 14-17 raise $80 minimum).
-For a two-person team, participants must raise $150 minimum per person (teens aged 14-17 raise $80 minimum).
-Full Monty, participants must raise $250 (same amount regardless of age).
For more information, contact Travis Irwin at fondationbettyriel@gmail.com.