Snow, beautiful snow. Nowhere in Canada celebrates winter like la belle province and the Quebec City Snow Pentathlon has become its ultimate sport showcase, combining fun and adventure with a winter wonderland setting. The snow pentathlon has grown into Canada's largest outdoor winter event since 2005 and it's expecting 3,000 participants to descend on historic Quebec City in February. The event welcomes athletes of all abilities, says event general manager Francois Calletta. Participants compete on a continuous basis in five events: ski, snowshoe, skate, bike and run on groomed paths overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The number of laps for each discipline varies. Multiple levels allow everyone to participate, from family and corporate challenges to elite level competition. There are three formulas:
· Solo: compete in all events.

· Tandem-relay: two-person teams share competition, with one person handling three events.

Men, woman or combined categories.

· Team relay: three to five members share the five events. Men, women or combined.

To learn more about the unique Pentathlon des neiges - La Vie Sportive visit www.snowpentathlon.com or call 418.907.5734.

The 4,000 kilometre Calgary to Los Angeles Ride for Red came to a rousing conclusion with beauty queen Shannon Lynn and Olympic bobsledder Christina Smith dipping their toes and bicycles in the Pacific Ocean of the Santa Monica Pier.

Lynn and Smith left Calgary on Sept. 26 and arrived on schedule in L.A. on Nov. 4 to a red carpet Hollywood welcome at the end of their journey to raise money and awareness for the Red Cross. "It was an epic adventure," says Smith. "I call it pedalling with purpose, passion and determi-nation for an amazing organization like the Red Cross.Smith says the goal is to build on this year's Ride For Red and circle the continent to continue raising awareness for the Red Cross.

40 years of the James Cunningham Seawall Race

By Chris Welner

There’s no doubt participants in the James Cunningham Seawall Race run to the beat of their own drummer. Named after the stonemason who oversaw construction of the Stanley Park landmark, the race has been a runaway success since that last stone was laid 40 years ago in Vancouver. Held annually on the last Sunday in October, the race starts and ends at Second Beach. It’s 500 metres short of a 10K, the only 9.5 kilometre race on the Vancouver calendar, and it’s filled with dressed up characters embracing the Halloween spirit.

Race director Linda Wong says the Seawall race might not be the most competitive, but it’s about the most fun a runner can have for $20 on a Sunday morning. There’s music throughout the course, a couple of water stations and a trick or treat table at the finish line to entice racers all the way through to the end. Organized by the Lions Gate Road Runners, more than 1,200 participants are expected this Oct. 31 for one of the oldest road races in the Pacific Northwest. Proceeds go to KidSport British Columbia.

www.seawall.lgrr.com

Planet Organic Market is launching its first Thanksgiving Special Diet Food Drive for local food banks in all of their communities. With an increasing number of food bank beneficiaries – including children – requiring special diets because of health issues such as celiac disease, diabetes, food allergies and heart conditions, Planet Organic is collecting non-perishable items that are gluten-free, low sugar and low sodium, as well as vegetarian. Items collected during the drive will be donated to local food bank partners in communities where Planet Organic Market operates.

Special diet items needed most by food banks include non-wheat pasta products, rice and other whole grains, dry and canned soups, canned fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereal, baby food, canned/powdered milk and peanut butter alternatives such as hemp or almond butter.

Planet Organic Market has locations in Edmonton, Calgary, Port Coquitlam and Victoria. Donations are being accepted until Oct. 19. For more information, visit www.planetorganic.ca.

Mungara, Cherop, Coolsaet  top record-setting day
at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The 2010 La Terra XTERRA Canadian National Championships will take place in Whistler, B.C. on Sept. 5.