FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Skate the Lake a go

PORTLAND, ONTARIO - JAN 19, 2007 - Portland Outdoors, organizers of the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon that will be held on January 27, has decided to go ahead with the event as previously planned.

Next week volunteers will begin preparing the track, which will likely be different in shape and length that at any previous edition of the globally recognized event.

"We feel like this year's skating event might just become the most exciting one yet," said Portland Outdoors president Marco Smits. Portland Outdoors point out that many of the races, especially the 5 and 10 kilometer ones have a very friendly character, and that skaters on all types of skates are welcome to take as long as they like to complete distances.

Organizers will continue to monitor ice thickness and quality and compare those results to widely established standards, such as Canadian logging industry ice thickness guidelines and Ottawa Rideau Canal guideline.

Children 12 and under skate free, this is the perfect family outing.

Organizers of the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon are proud to be part of the Rideau Canal's 175th anniversary celebrations. The event is based in Portland, Ontario, one of the key settlements throughout the history of the important waterway. Boat makers, loggers, tanners, hoteliers, yacht harbours, stores and banks have made this town, once called Old Landing, well known for its entrepreneurial spirit.

About Portland Outdoors and the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon.
Portland Outdoors is a non-profit organization formed in 2003 by local residents who are dedicated to offering the best in outdoors activities in Portland, Ontario during all four seasons of the year. Since the first event in 2004, the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon, also known as Skate the Lake, has been attracting thousands of skaters and spectators to enjoy a unique skating opportunity on the largest lake in Eastern Ontario.

For more information
contact media coordinator Chris Allan
media@portlandoutdoors.com
call 613-349-7223
visit www.portlandoutdoors.com

Sponsors for 2007 include: Len's Cove Marina, The Westport & Rideau Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Bayview Yacht Harbour, RBC Financial Group ,The Township of Rideau Lakes, Kott Lumber, Smith Petrie Carr and Scott Insurance Brokers Ltd, Phoenix Performance Products, Court Holdings Limited, Dimon Sports, Rideau Realty, Olympia Ice Resurfacing, Laurysen Kitchens Ltd, Leeds Transit , Rideau Insurance, Foley Mountain Mechanical, The Review-Mirror, Hershey Chocolate Shoppe Smiths Falls and Coldwell Banker. Fireworks sponsored by Go Power Sports.

Additional contributors and friends of Skate the Lake include:Greg Fleming, Alan Baker's Tires and Batteries, Parade of Paints, Cohen & Cohen (Ottawa), Bonhomme Design Studio, Hartin's Automotive, Kris Sheldon Pro-Blast, Dave's Autobody, Howard Chant and Chantland Farms, Rob Dunfield's Plowing Services, Barry Baker Carpentry, Penny Nelson's Stillpond Massage, Fusion Nearwater, Isaac Wesley database design, Ron Campbell and family, Steve Magee and Cooligan Carpentry, Waenick Electric, Falls Iron and metal, Rick Southam, The Rae Family, Centre for Sustainable Watersheds (CSW), Dan Gray and Bell Canada, Portland Firefighters Association.

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