RBC GranFondo Whistler Celebrates a Record-Breaking 15th Anniversary Event

September 9, 2024

North America's best voted event gets even better

Vancouver/Whistler [Sept 7, 2024] /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The RBC GranFondo Whistler celebrated its 15th anniversary this Saturday with industry-leading participation and an unprecedented five-day celebration of cycling. The event, held on September 7, brought together 5,245 registered cyclists from around the world and an estimated 14,000+ combined riders and spectators, underscoring its status as one of North America’s premier cycling destination experiences.

Registration is already open for the 2025 edition, set to be held on Sept 6, 2025.

Sea-to-Sky High Participation

This year’s milestone event showcased the enduring appeal and growing popularity of the RBC GranFondo Whistler. Riders from over 30 countries, including participants from as far away as Mexico, Japan, and Ukraine converged on Vancouver, highlighting the event’s global reach and inclusive spirit. The strong turnout of cyclists and spectators made this year’s GranFondo a true celebration of cycling and community.

“Sunny skies, big smiles”

Today was truly a celebration”, said Oli Cartmell, Event Director for RBC GranFondo Whistler. “To commemorate the 15 year anniversary by seeing thousands of riders conquer the Sea to Sky who then go on to enjoy the big party afterwards is nothing short of incredible. We had sunny skies, big smiles, and the perfect send-off to most people’s cycling season” It’s going to be hard to wait a full year to do it all again on Sept 6, 2025 – but in the meantime you can join us in Mexico for the inaugural GranFondo Rivieria Nayarit party this April!”

Volunteers steal the show

With a record 650+ volunteer signups, this year’s RBC GranFondo Whistler owed its success due in large part to the “Squadra” volunteer team, responsible for making sure all the athletes had a great experience at the event.

Cartmell added, “Wow, Squadra! The community spirit was out in force today and we are so, so grateful. All riders were given rubber bracelets to gift to volunteers as part of their swag bags, and seeing these make their way onto the wrists of hundreds of people is incredibly powerful. A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time at this year’s event!”

Mildred Renada was a Rest Stop volunteer captain. She said, “It’s an exciting atmosphere getting to help set up the rest stops, interact with the riders and hang out with my volunteer team. For me, it’s like an annual reunion with our cycling friends and family.”

Organizers look forward to Mexico

Neil McKinnon, founder of RBC GranFondo Whistler, spoke of his excitement going into a new Mexican sister event this coming April: “Seeing such strong numbers this year fills us with great pride, especially against a backdrop of downwards and flat performance from most other events in our industry. It’s a great springboard as we next look forward to bringing the Whistler experience down to Mexico at the inaugural GranFondo Rivieria Nayarit on April 5. Expect sun, sand, and a huge fiesta!”

Registration for GranFondo Riviera Nayarit, April 5, 2025 is open now.

Milestone Additions

In honor of the 15th anniversary, RBC GranFondo Whistler expanded the event with exciting new programs:

• Thursday Shakeout Ride and Pre Party: Kicking off on September 5 at Concord Pacific Place, this new addition offered a relaxed ride and social gathering, setting the stage for the main event. Over $1000 was raised by donation for TaG Cycling, the cycling club leading the shakeout, with money going to support their youth cycling program.
• Sunday Slowdown Program: Being held on September 8 at the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, this new initiative allows participants to recover and relax with restorative yoga, sound baths, smoothies, and more, promoting overall well-being as part of the extended celebration.
• Expanded Five-Day Celebration: The anniversary event included the curtain raising VIP reception in Vancouver on September 4, and the VeloSpoke Bike Expo at the Vancouver Convention Centre on September 6, extending the RBC GranFondo Whistler into an unprecedented five-day festival, delivering exceptional value for cyclists and visitors alike.

Leo Sammarelli: A Journey of Resilience and Triumph

Leo Sammarelli’s story is one of tenacity and determination. A national-level boxer, Leo faced a life-altering change in 2017 when a spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the waist down. Refusing to let his circumstances define him, Leo not only continued his boxing career as a coach but also embraced handcycling, quickly becoming a standout in adaptive sports.

Leo is a passionate advocate for inclusivity in sports, inspiring others through his athletic pursuits and mentorship. His return to the RBC GranFondo Whistler in 2024, after completing the event in 2019, symbolizes his relentless drive to push boundaries and uplift those around him. Leo’s rode today made history, becoming the first paracyclist to ride the most challenging distance category, the 152km Forte, an impressive benchmark in itself for any cyclist.

Leo: “I believe in life you must challenge yourself and try to live to your full potential. I’d like to bring awareness to help open doors for everyone, no matter their ability, to be able to participate in any whatever event they want.”

Key Highlights and Achievements

• 15 Years of Cycling: Marking its 15th anniversary, the RBC GranFondo Whistler has evolved from a passionate local event to an internationally recognized cycling challenge, beloved by riders of all abilities.
• Over 5,000 Cyclists: This year’s participation, with over 5,000 cyclists, reflects the event’s broad attraction and reputation for excellence, making it one of the most successful editions yet.
• Diverse Participation: Riders from over 30 countries and all walks of life took part, demonstrating the event’s inclusivity and global allure.
• Scenic Routes: Cyclists tackled routes from Vancouver to Whistler, covering breathtaking 122 km (Gran Fondo) or 152 km (Forte) distance options, while the 55 km Medio offered a welcoming introduction to the GranFondo experience with the same thrilling celebrations.
• Community Impact: The event continued to make a significant positive impact on local communities, promoting tourism and supporting local businesses across the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

Closing thoughts from Organizers

“The 15th anniversary of the RBC GranFondo Whistler marks a significant milestone for our event,” said Neil McKinnon, founder of RBC GranFondo Whistler. ” This year truly captured the unparalleled beauty, challenge, and celebration that defines the RBC GranFondo Whistler.”

Reflecting on Success

The RBC GranFondo Whistler continues to set the standard for cycling events, offering participants a scenic and challenging ride from Vancouver to Whistler. Renowned for its stunning routes, exceptional organization, and vibrant community atmosphere, it remains a bucket-list experience for cyclists worldwide.

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ABOUT RBC GRANFONDO WHISTLER

Established following the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010, RBC GranFondo Whistler is an award-winning point-to-point cycling event between Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada that takes annually place on the weekend following September Labour Day. On average, 5000 cyclists ride each year across different distance categories, both competitive and non-competitive. Through the event, over $350,000 has been donated in support of charitable causes since inception (rbcgranfondo.com/whistler).

ABOUT GRANFONDO RIVIERA NAYARIT

GranFondo Riviera Nayarit is set to deliver a unique “Sand to Sun” cycling experience on April 5, 2025, in the stunning west coast resort destination of Riviera Nayarit, just minutes from Puerto Vallarta. This 100km Gran Fondo offers cyclists the chance to ride through protected parklands while soaking up the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Organized by the team behind the renowned RBC GranFondo Whistler, GranFondo Riviera Nayarit combines sensational cycling with an immersive destination experience. Participants can expect a week of sun-soaked pool parties, tropical cocktails, beachfront music, and authentic Mexican fiestas. Beyond cycling, Riviera Nayarit offers a range of activities including skydiving, boating, and exploring local culture, all within easy reach of Puerto Vallarta International Airport.

ABOUT RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 98,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 18 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries (rbc.com).

RBC are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-sustainability

For more information, please contact:

Oli Cartmell

Director, RBC GranFondo Whistler

604-828-7406

oli@rbcgranfondo.com

rbcgranfondo.com/whistler