RBC GranFondo Whistler celebrates a Record-Breaking 15th Anniversary Event
The RBC GranFondo Whistler celebrated its 15th anniversary this September with industry-leading participation and an unprecedented five-day celebration of cycling!
The event, held on September 7, brought together 5,245 registered cyclists from around the world and an estimated 14,000+ combined riders and spectators, underscoring its status as one of North America’s premier cycling destination experiences.
This year’s milestone event showcased the enduring appeal and growing popularity of the RBC GranFondo Whistler. Riders from over 30 countries, including participants from as far away as Mexico, Japan, and Ukraine converged on Vancouver, highlighting the event’s global reach and inclusive spirit. The strong turnout of cyclists and spectators made this year’s GranFondo a true celebration of cycling and community.
Today was truly a celebration”, said Oli Cartmell, Event Director for RBC GranFondo Whistler. “To commemorate the 15 year anniversary by seeing thousands of riders conquer the Sea to Sky who then go on to enjoy the big party afterwards is nothing short of incredible. We had sunny skies, big smiles, and the perfect send-off to most people’s cycling season” It’s going to be hard to wait a full year to do it all again!"
With a record 650+ volunteer signups, this year’s RBC GranFondo Whistler owed its success due in large part to the “Squadra” volunteer team, responsible for making sure all the athletes had a great experience at the event.
Cartmell added, “The community spirit was out in force today and we are so, so grateful. All riders were given rubber bracelets to gift to volunteers as part of their swag bags, and seeing these make their way onto the wrists of hundreds of people is incredibly powerful. A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time at this year’s event!”
Mildred Renada was a Rest Stop volunteer captain. She said, “It’s an exciting atmosphere getting to help set up the rest stops, interact with the riders and hang out with my volunteer team. For me, it’s like an annual reunion with our cycling friends and family.”
In the 55km Medio Fondo, Nicolas Gracia from Mexico was fastest overall in a time of 1:47:24. In the women's category, Isabella Luckie from Mexico was fastest in a time of 1:52:40.
In the 122km Gran Fondo, David Collings from North Vancouver, BC was fastest overall in a time of 3:31:46. In the women's category, Zhiqing Zhang from Sammamish, WA was fastest in a time of 3:46:22.
In the 152km Forte, Matthew Bennett from North Vancouver, BC was fastest overall in a time of 4:32:01. In the women's category, Samantha Dore from Seattle, WA was fastest in a time of 4:57:25.
Red Truck Cycling won the women's St. Regis Cup team award in 3:34:40 ahead of The Cycle Collective x Velosophy in second place, and Diversion Womens - Blue in third place.
Diversion Mens - Red won the men's St. Regis Cup team award in 3:15:02 ahead of Bici in second place and TaG Cycling Men's Team in third place.
The 15th anniversary, RBC GranFondo Whistler expanded the event with exciting new programs including a Thursday September 5 Shakeout Ride and Pre Party at Concord Pacific Place, this new addition offered a relaxed ride and social gathering, setting the stage for the main event. Over $1000 was raised by donation for TaG Cycling, the cycling club leading the shakeout, with money going to support their youth cycling program.
Afterwards on Sunday September 8 was a new Sunday Slowdown Program held at the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, this new initiative allowed participants to recover and relax with restorative yoga, sound baths, smoothies, and more, promoting overall well-being as part of the extended celebration.
The Expanded Five-Day Celebration included the curtain raising VIP reception in Vancouver on September 4, and the VeloSpoke Bike Expo at the Vancouver Convention Centre on September 6, extending the RBC GranFondo Whistler into an unprecedented five-day festival, delivering exceptional value for cyclists and visitors alike.
Key Highlights and Achievements
- 15 Years of Cycling: Marking its 15th anniversary, the RBC GranFondo Whistler has evolved from a passionate local event to an internationally recognized cycling challenge, beloved by riders of all abilities.
- Over 5,000 Cyclists: This year’s participation, with over 5,000 cyclists, reflects the event’s broad attraction and reputation for excellence, making it one of the most successful editions yet.
- Diverse Participation: Riders from over 30 countries and all walks of life took part, demonstrating the event’s inclusivity and global allure.
- Scenic Routes: Cyclists tackled routes from Vancouver to Whistler, covering breathtaking 122 km (Gran Fondo) or 152 km (Forte) distance options, while the 55 km Medio offered a welcoming introduction to the GranFondo experience with the same thrilling celebrations.
- Community Impact: The event continued to make a significant positive impact on local communities, promoting tourism and supporting local businesses across the Sea-to-Sky corridor.
“The 15th anniversary of the RBC GranFondo Whistler marks a significant milestone for our event,” said Neil McKinnon, founder of RBC GranFondo Whistler. ” This year truly captured the unparalleled beauty, challenge, and celebration that defines the RBC GranFondo Whistler.”
The RBC GranFondo Whistler continues to set the standard for cycling events, offering participants a scenic and challenging ride from Vancouver to Whistler. Renowned for its stunning routes, exceptional organization, and vibrant community atmosphere, it remains a bucket-list experience for cyclists worldwide.
Registration is already open for the 2025 edition, set to be held on Sept 6, 2025.
Link to 2024 RBC Gran Fondo Whistler results: https://www.rbcgranfondo.com/whistler/results
About RBC Granfondo Whistler
Established following the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010, RBC GranFondo Whistler is an award-winning point-to-point cycling event between Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada that takes annually place on the weekend following September Labour Day. On average, 5000 cyclists ride each year across different distance categories, both competitive and non-competitive. Through the event, over $350,000 has been donated in support of charitable causes since inception.
For more information, please visit rbcgranfondo.com/whistler
