The 12th annual Cache Valley Gran Fondo century event (just over a hundred mile course) once again rolled through Malad City as its halfway point.  The route begins in Logan, follows a course up through Weston canyon, down through Malad, and then back to Riverside and over to return at its starting point for a distance of approximately 104 miles.  Those who have participated in the event before mentioned looking forward to the Malad stop as one of the best equipped and restful of the route, while those new to the event expressed surprise at the quality and quantity of amenities.

The Gran Fondo is an event that also serves as a fundraiser for cancer research through the Hunstman Institute.  Thousands of dollars are raised each year through entry fees and donations connected to the race, which is one of the reasons that Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital is a proud sponsor of the event.

Also on hand during the event is the county’s local radio club the RACOON (Radio Amateur Club of Oneida County), who provides course communication for the riders as they traverse the middle of the route.  No major injuries were reported this year, although as is often the case, some of the recently chip-sealed roads did provide some road rash.  The radio support club was also called on a number of times to check tire pressure and refill tires as needed.  The heat, which has been at high levels over the last few years, managed to stay in check until later in the morning and into the afternoon.  “This is way better than last year,” one rider was overheard to mention on the topic of the heat.

For the past nine years, the hospital has staffed the midcourse refreshment table for the race, providing a much-needed rest and refresh for the long-distance racers.  The race begins at daybreak in Logan, and this year’s overall winner, Supe Dursteler of North Logan, Utah, came in at 4:33:17.  Tyler Metten of Orem, Utah, took second with a time of 4:33:22, and Jospeh Camire of Paradise, Utah took third with a time of 4:33:39.  The top women racers were Ellie Edwards of Hyde Park, UT at 4:49:49, Stefanie Young of Lehi, UT at 4:54:41 and Steph Christensen of Eden, UT at 5:02:20.  Racers as young as 14 and a few in the over 75 brackets also completed the grueling race.

While the fastest racers generally move through town early without pausing for long if at all (generally to grab the gel packs that were the first items to be depleted), most of the racers make a pitstop for calories, hydration, and equipment checks.  During the morning, several tire repairs, inflations, and adjustments were made.  Hundreds of bagels, snacks, uncrustables, deli trays, and other amenities were consumed, alongside cans of soda, energy water, energy drinks, and bottles of pickle juice (useful for regaining electrolytes) were also consumed.  Large water coolers for refilling water bottles were on hand and restocked throughout the morning.  Staff were also on hand to provide minor first aid and apply sunscreen as needed.

As the racers moved in and out of the stopover, a constant refrain of gratitude could be heard of the general buzz.  “Thanks for everything!...I always love making it to Malad!...Thank you guys for all your help!” were common phrases as the morning wore on.  The more leisurely racers (though the term should be taken with a grain of salt given the race’s hundred mile course) who appeared toward the end of the morning were especially grateful for the accommodations.  “Not being with the main pack is nice,” one woman said.  “It’s great not having it be so crowded…at least, that’s what I always tell myself,” she laughed.

“You guys do all the hard work,” one racer said on his way out.  “I don’t know about that,” Kathy Hubbard said, watching the racer pull back out into the sun.  Many of the leftover materials are taken to the hospital for the patients and staff.  As with each year, the volunteers seem to have a nice day out in the sun providing a valuable and much-needed service to an important charitable cause.