 EXCITING NEWS!The Swamp Donkey Adventure Race is 100% Manitoban!
What started out over a beer in a Toronto pub as a two province combined event, has been officially transferred to best two local guys in town! Rick Shone and John Ford, formally the Swamp Donkey Race Manager and The Workhorse, are now the new co-owners of The Swamp Donkey Adventure Race!
Rick and John are pumped about taking on the race. They are well into planning for 2009 and even have a little 'new' race surprise on the website. "We loved being part of the race experience and we truly wanted to make it better. With Chris heading South of the equator and both John and myself living here - it just made sense. We can't wait to show you what we have planned for 2009!" says new front man John Ford.
With two great years and loads of experience, Rick and John will be taking the reins of this incredibly fun ride. "These guys have what it takes to create a great race experience. We are happy to say, that Swamp Donkey AR will be ready to go for 2009 to continue the growth of AR in Manitoba." Says Heather Arnold (aka Queen Bee). "Hark Events Inc. is very happy with the transfer of the event. We think this will help it grow stronger in the province of Manitoba and allow us the time to focus on our other events in Ontario." says Mark Arnold co-owner of Hark Events.
We want to send out a profound thank you to all those that have helped us in the past 2 years and a very gracious thank you to all those participants that believed this was a good idea - and even signed up to get dirty, sweaty and sore for a second round! Cheers to all those involved in SDAR and we will watch from the sidelines as AR and this race grows in Manitoba.
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 Thanks for all the support...
...it means more than anyone can imagine. Leaving Winnipeg to continue work with the military and to pursue personal passions was tough, but leaving the Swamp Donkey Adventure Race will be very difficult - but at least I know it remains in good capable hands.
Developing this race has been nearly a four-year dream come true! The last two years of working with the nation's best adventure racers and event planners has been nothing but amazing. As I look back, I can't help but remember all the favours I asked of so many hard working friends to accomplish such a professional event - thank you!
Rick and John will both continue to be amazing and the race can only get better! To all those looking forward to what the Swamp Donkey Team has to offer, don't look far...the local boys from Winnipeg will make it happen.
Chris
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 Go Team!
The Swamp Donkey Adventure Race is an incredible event and I know going forward, the level of safety, fun and dedication to this event will be nothing less then excellent!
This race has been a highlight for us, both meeting new racers and helping to bring the sport of adventure racing to a place of beauty and excellent bush crashing!
Rick and John we know you will kick some butt in the 2009 season.
Just stick to the two AR rules:
1) Everyone leaves dirtier than when they arrived
2) Count the smiles under the grime- those will be the ones coming back.
Cheers!
Heather
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 A great race, keep it up!
Its been a fun ride! I will miss coming out to the beautiful Falcon Lake area and seeing a new extremely excited group of adventure racers take part in a sport that I have come to love over the years.
Working with Chris and his crew has been great. It can't be understated that Chris's involvement and organizational abilities proved to be a great asset, and a driving force towards the success of the Swamp Donkey race.
I wish John and Rick the best of luck with the Swamp Donkey race so that the fire of adventure racing can burn brightly in the province of Manitoba for years to come.
Mark
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