Local Sports

The Banff Rugby Football Club men’s team reached the midway point of its season on a high note, defeating the Calgary Irish at the Rec Grounds on Saturday (Aug. 6) by a margin of 38-6.

Stuart Lodge, Pate Neumann, Mike Norton and Darren Freeman teamed up to win the 2011 Sir Norman Watson Classic in Lake Louise on Saturday (Aug. 6), earning the championship trophy of the Bow Valley’s most diverse race.

Before running nine kilometres as part of the Sir Norman Watson Classic, Bruce Romanek had a good warm-up the weekend prior. He ran 125 kilometres over three mountain peaks as part of the Grande Cache 2011 Death Race.

Canmore’s Craig Wilson decimated Cole Kander of Red Deer in the K.O. For Cancer main event as the referee was forced to stop the fight in the second round, Saturday (Aug. 6).

The marriage between fights and fundraising is entering its second year at the annual K.O. for Cancer event at Canmore Collegiate High School. The outdoor ring will rise again at the high school field on Aug. 6 for five bouts. Doors open at 4 p.m.

The Canmore Nordic Centre, through the Friends of Kananaskis, has signed a five-year agreement with 24 Hours of Adrenalin race organizers Twenty4 Sports Inc. that will see race organizers donate $40,000 to improve and fix trails.

Before the sound of the air pistol or drop of the flag, stomach-churning sights can befall the distance athlete at the psychological vice grip known as the start line.

For one weekend, rugby took on a completely different look in Banff. Games featured beer swilling scrums, cops, sailors, sasquatches and the odd butt-slap tackle.

Nadine Mueller of Spruce Grove is the 2011 24 Hours of Adrenalin women’s champion. Mueller finished 12 laps in 24 hours, defeating previous winner Cyd Fraser. “I’m surprised,” Mueller said. “I’ve known Cyd, she’s who I’ve looked up to.

Every year, many of the best riders in Western Canada challenge the speed and endurance of local mountain bike racers at the 24 Hours of Adrenalin. Seemingly, every year they come up short at the hands of Banff and Canmore’s best.