FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Loewen, Charbonneau win fourth International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon

PORTLAND, ONTARIO - JAN 30, 2007 - Adrian Loewen of Ottawa won the fourth International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon, held in Portland on Saturday. Loewen has skated all previous editions of the 50 kilometre race and finished in the top 10 several times before, but this was his first win.

Martine Charbonneau, one of Canada’s leading inline skating talents, won the race with the women ahead of two time champions Suzanne Dionne. The races on Big Rideau Lake were held under tough conditions, with a strong wind and snow during the 100 lap race.

In total, more than 250 skated in all four races. The 5K event, held early in the morning attracted close to 80 skaters, many from the surrounding area. Over the day, skaters from Canada, the US, Australia, the Netherlands and Germany took part.

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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