Montreal, February 22, 2008 – The incredibly exhilarating Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event was held under a picture-perfect full moon last night on Mount Royal, where hundreds of mountain enthusiasts celebrated the record-breaking success of the event that raised $258,885 for Les Amis de la montagne’s conservation activities.

Hundreds of Montrealers traded their Bluetooth devices for a blue toque to participate in Les Amis’ signature fundraiser, a colourful activity that helped launch the MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival.

Under the honorary chairmanship of Hélène Desmarais, Chairman of the Board of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Montréal enterprises and innovation centre, and Tom Velan, President of Velan Inc., close to 125 snowshoe runners competed to win gold, silver or bronze in the men's and women's categories, while numerous teams from the business community vied for the Sports Club Cup, the Corporate Challenge Cup and the coveted Tuques Bleues Trophy.

THE MEDAL AND TROPHY WINNERS
For full race results, visit Sportstats.

Snowshoe race medal winners WOMEN’S CATEGORY:
Gold: Aviva Lavallée Roberts (12:13.8), Club Sportif MAA
Silver: Catherine Michel, (13:25.8), CGI
Bronze: Suzie Guillemette (14:40.7), CGI

Snowshoe race medal winners MEN’S CATEGORY:
Gold: Philippe Bertrand (10:45.5), Mansfield Club Athlétique
Silver: Chris Blanchard (10:57.7), Club sportif MAA
Bronze: Sébastien Audy (11:11.2), Mansfield Club Athlétique

The Sports Club Cup awarded to the club with the highest number of members who ranked among the top 15 race finishers: it’s a tie between Mansfield Club Athlétique and Club sportif MAA.

The Corporate Challenge Cup awarded to the first corporate team that succeeded in getting 10 or more participants to finish the race in 25 minutes or less: CGI.

The Tuques Bleues Trophy awarded to the organization that recruited the highest total number of employees for the snowshoe walk or race: Manulife Financial.

Les Amis de la montagne warmly thank their sponsors, partners and collaborators, particularly their privileged partners Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes, their diamond partners, CGI, Gaz Métro and Manulife Financial, their platinum partners, Atmosphere and Abitibi-Bowater, as well as their wonderful volunteers, to whom they raise their tuques! A special thank-you to Master of Ceremonies Rob Kemp from CHOM 97,7 FM and snowshoe race commentator Mark Shaloub from CJAD 800 AM, as well as caterer Java U for a delectable, gastronomic feast.

The 12th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2009.

Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les Amis de la montagne
(514) 843-8240 ext. 237