This Sunday (August 25), you are invited to attend a quirky, but entertaining event, as outhouses battle it out in good ol' fashioned rivalry on historical Main Street.

Bringing the event to a new month, new day, and at a new time, Dan Kroffat, Event Organizer is excited up about this year's races renamed as the 'Canadian Championship Outhouse Races.' "We feel that Cochrane is the centre to Outhouse Races in Canada, and we want to put Cochrane on the map. We are wanting Cochrane to be recognized as the community and centre to the Outhouse Races, and I think this weekend will be a great start."

Revved up about the future, Kroffat believes the running of the commodes has the potential to become an internationally renowned event. "I am hopeful to make a very big announcement regarding next year's event. I am excited about the conversation I am having right now about the possibility of this turning into an international event."

The fun kicks off with free breakfast for all, shares Kroffat. "McDonald's is serving breakfast at 11 a.m., and that will go until about 12:15. We are inviting people to come on down early and we really want to get that message out."

This year, Cochrane Mayor, Jeff Genung will hit the asphalt running his souped-up 'tech inspired' outhouse as he looks to leave both Airdrie Mayor, Peter Brown and Brooks Mayor, Barry Morishita in the dust as they compete in the Mayor's Challenge. Wishing this year's event not only brings out more Cochrane community members, Kroffat, is hoping to see more residents from the community of Airdrie, as well as Brooks, to cheer on their respective Mayors. "We are hoping people will gather their family and come on down to cheer for their Mayor. We are looking for people alongside those from Cochrane to be part of this event."

More than just a fun road race; Kroffat is optimistic the Canadian Championship Outhouse Races will be known as a major fundraising event that will benefit the overall community. Monies for this year's race will benefit the new park at the Girl Guides Camp Jubilee.

Hoping this event helps them get closer to their 125,000 dollar goal, Kroffat, says they have some special initiatives people may want to take note of. "We have a tent set up this year that will feature a car that we are selling tickets for. If we sell all the tickets, we are giving away the car right at the event. Every dime from the car, there are no expenses attached, will be going to support our Girl Guides. At the end of the day, we hope that people will find a way of donating money to help us reach our goal." 

Besides the Mayor's Challenge, also, battling it out at this year's race is Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards and Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie. "They both have outhouses, and they will be up against each other. My understanding is that they have been bickering back and forth and they may have some real money on the line," shares Kroffat.

The Canadian Championship Outhouse Races will start by fueling up the crowd with a hearty breakfast before the custom commodes hit the start line at 1 p.m. "I believe we will have bleachers this year, so people will want to come down early, grab some breakfast, and grab a seat."

"This is a community event, and we want to serve the community. I think these initiatives must always have the attachment of benefitting an organization in need of help, and I think the Girl Guides is a perfect example of an organization that can benefit."

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