FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, ONTARIO - JAN 12, 2005

Portland Outdoors, the organizers of the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon on the largest lake in eastern Ontario, Canada, is proud to announce that Portland has been selected as the host for the 2006 North American Marathon speed skating championships.

Bidding for the 2006 nomination closed on Dec. 16, 2004 and Hannah Juneau, Sport Development Coordinator of Speed Skating Canada confirmed the successful outcome to Big Rideau Lake marathon founder Marco Smits shortly after.

"We could have never predicted this when we started from scratch two years ago," said Smits. "Everybody here in our small town of Portland is very proud that we will host the 2006 championships."

Portland Outdoors will once again prepare a 1-kilometre oval on the Big Rideau Lake. The 25-km race will be skated on Jan 28 and the 50-km race on Jan. 29 2006.

The North American Speed Skating Marathon Championships alter yearly between Canada and the United States. In 2005 they will be held on Lake Morey in Vermont. In previous Canadian editions Lac Beauport in Quebec hosted the races.



The inaugural Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon was held on Jan. 31, 2004. It attracted 1000 spectators and 150 skaters to Portland and the Township of Rideau Lakes.

Portland, Ontario is located on Highway 15 between Canada's capital Ottawa and Kingston.

ABOUT PORTLAND OUTDOORS
Portland Outdoors is a non-profit organization formed by local residents who are dedicated to bringing out the best in outdoors activities in Portland, Ontario in all four seasons of the year. For more information email media coordinator Christine Row at media@portlandoutdoors.com or visit www.portlandoutdoors.com

Sponsors for the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon include: Kott Lumber, Len's Cove Marina, Bayview Yacht Harbour, The Westport and Rideau Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Rideau Realty, The Review Mirror, Hershey Chocolate Shoppe, The Royal Bank, Okolo Sports, VH Footwear, Township of Rideau Lakes, Barry Baker Carpentry, Rob's Corner store and garage, Laurysen Kitchens, Rural Leeds 2000 and Beyond Economic Development Corporation, The Davies Charitable Foundation, Olympia Ice Resurfacing, Leeds Transit, G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Ltd.

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