FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SKATE THE LAKE TAKES YEAR OFF
International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon to have year off

Oct. 08 2009 - Portland, Ontario, Canada - Organizers of the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon have decided to take a year off.

The volunteers at Portland Outdoors are taking a year off to come back next year with renewed strength.

"It has been a great six years for everyone involved. But making this event a success requires many hours of hard work for many people," said Marco Smits, president of Portland Outdoors.

"This year when several of our key volunteers, including myself, couldn't dedicate the time necessary to pull it all together, we decided to take a year off and not compromise the event. However we are still hoping to continue in the future," Smits said

The event, also known as Skate the Lake, was first hosted in 2004 and has brought skaters and spectators from around the world to the small village of Portland in the traditionally slow winter months.

Skate the Lake has been featured on CBC television, CTV NEWS, The A-Channel, CKWS TV. CJOH TV, Cottage Life, Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, Brockville R&T, Kingston Whig Standard, SchaatsSport, SchaatsMarathon, Ottawa Sun and many others. Earlier this year, the event was watched by millions across the country when the Rick Mercer Report filmed an episode in Portland.

Sponsors of Skate the Lake 6 included The Cove Inn, Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals, WTC Communications, Westport TIM-BR Mart, Len's Cove Marina, The Westport & Rideau Lakes Chamber of Commerce, RBC Financial Group ,The Township of Rideau Lakes, Kott Lumber, Smith Petrie Carr and Scott Insurance Brokers Ltd, Rideau Realty, Laurysen Kitchens Ltd, Leeds Transit, Rideau Insurance, Foley Mountain Mechanical, The Review-Mirror, Coldwell Banker and Go Power Sports.

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