The endurance, aches, pains and cherished memories of completing Soccer Quest 42, five years ago, are being celebrated by the Cochrane Rangers Soccer Club, Oct. 14.

The evening that starts at Ducks on the Roof and ends at the Venue Bar and Grill, will also see the inaugural Robert J. Bowden Award presented to recognize an exceptional club volunteer.

Bowden was one of the founders of the Rangers 32 years ago and was heavily involved with the club for over 20 years before moving from Cochrane. He'll be here to present the award on Saturday night.

"He made the club into what it is today along with a few others at the time," explains Rangers president Paul Tas. "It started as a group of men playing soccer together, but under his presidency he made sure we got the fields that we have right now."

He also helped to bring more teams into the fold, developed a men's drop-in program, worked with minor soccer and in the latter years involved women in the club.  

"He's done a lot for the club. He was always there; his life was soccer."

The idea of an award was brought forward by Ken Harrison and the Rangers board couldn't think of anyone better suited than Bowden as its namesake. Ten nominations were submitted and the recipient won't be announced until Saturday night.

Previous to this a three-day co-ed mini-tournament in honour of Soccer Quest 42 was held on the indoor turf of the SLS Family Sports Centre, Oct. 10-12.

It was well received and involved five teams and about 40 people. Tas says some have asked if the club could do it once a month and it's being seriously considered. 

"It's a lot of fun to have these kinds of events," says Tas. "They really build the club. I think they make you proud of the club and you get to know some new people while enjoying one of your favourite pastimes."

On Oct. 7, 2012, a 42 hour and one minute soccer match ended and a new record was officially established for the Guinness Book of World Records. It was a 5-on-5 game involving 16 determined players. 

The event was the brainchild of Martin Parnell, who recruited the enthusiastic support of the Rangers to complete the fifth of his 10 quests in support of Right To Play. Along the way it also raised about $32,000 towards his goal of raising $1 million. It was Linda Lovelock and Sarah Tas who helped organize the event for the Rangers.

Martin Parnell is looking forward to the Saturday night celebration and can't believe that was five years ago.

"My gosh, it's hard to believe that was five years ago. I don't feel a day older," he laughs. "It's going to be a lot of fun on Saturday night, I'm really looking forward to it."

"It was a huge undertaking," recalls Parnell. "We had to eat, sleep and play soccer in the gym and they did brillantly. There were lots of injuries, a lot of pain, but it was well done. So cool."

In the end, the 10 quests of Parnell raised $1.3 million and helped 27,000 children through Right to Play. The soccer game, though, remains special to Parnell because of his British heritage.

"Coming from England, as a kid of 3-4 years old I remember playing soccer with my dad. Soccer is in the blood and it was likely the one I was probably best at of all the quests. Soccer was the one I loved."

While there's no admission for Saturday function, donations will be accepted for Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area.