Edmonton, AB – Realtors and friends from Calgary, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray and Edmonton have already signed up to partake in the Sturgis Rally Trip of a Lifetime, an innovative concept to ride motorcycles, earn mandatory education credits and raise money for the Edmonton Realtors’ Charitable Foundation.

Darrell Cook, of Sutton Group – Challenge Realty is on the Board of Governors with the Edmonton Realtors’ Charitable Foundation and is the creative mind behind this event to combine three concepts into one memorable journey. In August 2005, realtors and friends will ride 1000 miles to and from Sturgis, South Dakota and enjoy a nine day, eight night celebration marking the 65th Anniversary of the Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Once in Sturgis, they will earn real estate education credits with instructor Barry Hanna. Each participant is asked to fundraise between $500 and $1000 for the Edmonton Realtors’ Charitable Foundation. Throughout the 17 years that the Foundation has been in existence, it has, in conjunction with the Edmonton Real Estate Board, contributed approximately $883,000 to support critical needs in the community.

The legacy of the Sturgis Rally began in 1938 when J.C. “Pappy” Hoel, a local motorcycle shop owner, and some friends came up with the idea of holding a motorcycle race and stunt competition. The first event consisted of 19 racers at the half-mile track and some daring events such as board/wall crashes and ramp jumps. Local businesses put up the $500 prize money. Every year, the event grew as both racers and spectators learned of the event. The races were cancelled for two years during World War II when many young men served overseas.

After the war, the Sturgis rally became famous as the motorcycling lifestyle gained popularity. One thousand motorcyclists attended the event in the city park during the 1965 rally. By the time the 1980’s rolled around, the attendance numbers climbed into the tens of thousands. For the 50th Anniversary in 1990, approximately 400,000 bikers came to celebrate. The largest rally of all took place in 2000 – the 60th Anniversary. Estimated attendance was 550,000 – 633,000.

Steeped in history and situated in the scenic Black Hills, Sturgis is a place where motorcyclists can enjoy camaraderie with their friends and the freedom of the open road. Riding out to the Badlands, over to Devil’s Tower or cruising past Sylvan Lake offers spectacular natural scenery and solitude.

For Registration/Info Contact Darrell Cook of Sutton Challenge at (780) 483-4848.

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Media Contact Leanne D. Chan (604) 377-9223 leanne@sutton.com