Latest news with #GrantHamilton
Global News
6 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
Brandon man competes in gruelling amateur version of Tour de France
A Brandon, Man., cyclist has completed one of his sport's greatest challenges, despite being — in his own words — just a 'middle-aged schmuck.' Grant Hamilton took part in 2025's Tour 21 — a race affiliated with the renowned Tour de France, in which amateur cyclists take on all 21 of the tour's stages as part of a fundraiser for leukemia research. As of Tuesday, that fundraising total had reached 805,147 British pounds — close to C$1.5 million — with Hamilton himself raising 32,299 pounds ($60,043). 'I was watching the Tour de France last summer, and the announcers featured the Tour 21, which is a group of amateur cyclists trying their best to tackle the same gruelling course the pros do,' he told Global Winnipeg. 'I thought to myself, 'Well, I'm a middle-aged schmuck'… I put in an online application, and a few rounds of interviews later, they offered me a spot on (the tour).' Story continues below advertisement The race, Hamilton said, covers the same terrain the world-class pros take on for the Tour de France, but the amateurs of Tour 21 accomplish it over a longer period of time. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's the same course as the professionals. We do it one week ahead of the race. We have motorcycles closing the road for us so it's as close as possible to a professional athlete experience — the only thing different is how long it takes us, really,' he said. 'I'm out there two to three times as long as the (pro) race is, just trying to gut out a finish — but we did it, and it's all for a great cause, trying to raise money for leukemia research.' View image in full screen Manitoba cyclist Grant Hamilton. Submitted / Grant Hamilton Making his accomplishment that much more impressive, Hamilton, the only Canadian rider on Tour 21, was rebounding from an accident three years ago that upended his cycling goals. Story continues below advertisement Hamilton was hit by an oncoming car while riding his bike, leading to the loss of a finger. The incident led to an increased focus on safety for cyclists in the Westman area, and his creation of Bike Brandon — a cycling advocacy group aiming to make the roads safer for those on two wheels.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fundraising tour de force
A Brandon cyclist is gearing up for the ride of a lifetime in support of cancer research. Grant Hamilton is heading to Europe this week to join Tour 21, an annual event that sees a team of amateur cyclists ride the full Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals. The team will pedal more than 3,500 km in 21 days, including climbs and summits in the Pyrenees mountains and the French Alps. It's part of an effort to raise nearly $2 million for Cure Leukaemia, the official charity partner of the Tour de France. Grant Hamilton is heading to Europe this week to join Tour 21, an annual event that sees a team of amateur cyclists ride the full Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals. (Matt Packwood / The Brandon Sun) Cure Leukaemia funds clinical trials, driving global advancements in blood cancer treatment and impacting those affected by the disease. Hamilton is the only Canadian on the team. The 48-year-old communications and marketing professional first heard about the event while watching last year's Tour de France. 'I heard the commentators talking about essentially middle-aged schlubs tackling the entire route… and they were doing it for charity,' Hamilton recalls. 'I thought, well, I'm a middle-aged schlub — maybe this is something I could throw my bike helmet in the ring for.' Tour 21 participants commit to a $22,000 entry fee and a minimum fundraising amount of $55,000. Hamilton is covering his own costs and has raised more than 90 per cent of his fundraising goal. Lately, Hamilton's training regime has involved riding as many kilometres as he can. He travelled to California to cycle the Santa Monica Mountains last December and, in March, he joined a Team 21 training camp in Majorca, Spain. A&L Cycle has been assisting Hamilton with training plans, nutritional advice and equipment. 'It's a huge endeavour he's taking on,' says Tyler Wirch, co-owner of the Brandon bicycle shop. 'The Tour de France is probably the hardest bike race in the world… and we wanted to be part of it as much as we could.' The shop couldn't ask for a better cyclist to support than Hamilton, Wirch added. 'He's spent a ton of time on it and, just in general, he's one of the nicest guys I've ever met.' Hamilton believes that cycling has an incredible power to bring people together and build community. The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to or call 204-477-5180. The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to or call 204-477-5180. Manitoba Underdogs Rescue needs a newsletter co-ordinator for its social-media team. The role involves writing emails to keep supporters in the loop about new dogs, upcoming events and urgent needs. The co-ordinator will work with a graphic designer to enhance messages visually and analyze email performance to boost engagement. Essential skills include a friendly writing style, experience with platforms such as Mailchimp and a passion for storytelling. This remote position requires two to four flexible hours per week. Apply at by Aug. 1. The Henteleff Park Foundation needs volunteers. After a 90-minute orientation on park history and weed management, volunteers can work independently, choosing a spot to nurture. Volunteers can work at their own pace for an hour or two per week and at a time convenient to are welcome to apply individually or as families, only requiring the ability to lift 10 pounds and follow directions. No prior gardening knowledge is needed. Email by Aug. 15. Misericordia Health Centre needs an ophthalmology ambassador to escort patients to treatment rooms. Volunteers act as liaisons between staff members and patients (delivering messages for unit staff, making inquiries on behalf of patients, providing friendly services to patients and helping staff with patient flow). Ambassadors must have a positive and empathetic manner and the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time. Apply online at by Aug. 30. The Manitoba Mountain Bike Association needs board members. The board has eight members, with subcommittees for infrastructure and community outreach. A treasurer, fundraising co-ordinator and director at large are needed to help with bike park proposals, fundraising and administrative tasks. Applicants should have a strong interest in mountain biking or trail stewardship, while skills in grant writing, management, fundraising or trail development are beneficial. It's a flexible time commitment of up to eight hours weekly, plus monthly board meetings. Apply at by Oct. 4. Mennonite Central Committee's Kildonan Thrift Shop needs people with a skill set in assessing and repairing electronic devices. Volunteers are needed to sort, test, clean and price electronic items such as record players, amplifiers, radios and DVD players that have been donated for resale. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with shifts from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Apply at or 204-668-0967, ext. 5, by June 30. The St. Vital Agricultural Fair is seeking volunteers for its 114th annual Fair and Display Aug. 8-9. Opportunities include serving as greeters, setting up and taking down tables and chairs, and serving meals in a cafeteria style. Volunteers are also needed at the children's craft table and in helping exhibitors place their entries, and to help with cleaning duties such as garbage removal. More information about the event is available at Apply at PjMcFarlane@ or to 204-487-4597, ext. 1, by July 29. The Leftovers Foundation, a food-rescue charity with a mission of reducing food waste and increasing access to food for people facing barriers, is gearing up for Home Harvest. The program facilitates the rescue of homegrown food. Community members can participate by signing up through the website or mobile app to become a donor (grower) or volunteer to complete routes. Growers with excess produce can submit a request any time, and volunteers can harvest and deliver the produce to local service agencies and keep a portion for themselves. Volunteers can sign up in groups or individually. Email alyssa@ or go to for more information. Apply by Aug. 2. The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games will host more than 2,000 athletes at Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation. Volunteers are needed for roles such as registration, food services and cultural services. They will also help with security, medical aid and special events. Skills such as organization, communication and attention to detail are essential. Volunteers must be 13 or older. Flexible shifts are available from Aug. 17 to Aug. 23 at Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. Apply online at by Aug. 10. The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to email volunteer@ or call 1-844-818-2155. That belief was underscored three years ago when he was hit by a car one evening while cycling home with his wife. He was badly hurt — including losing his left pinky finger — but he says it changed his life for the better. It made him get serious about cycling activism and he's already seen the City of Brandon make improvements to its infrastructure — including lowering the speed limit on the stretch of road where he was hit. Hamilton is the founder of Bike Brandon, an organization that exists to support the convenient use and safe enjoyment of all kinds of bikes. Additionally, he volunteers as a board member with Brandon First, a not-for-profit destination marketing organization, and Brandon Riverbank, a 30-year-old charity dedicated to developing the Assiniboine River Corridor. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Hamilton also co-founded the Salamander Summer Music Festival, which returns for its third year next month. 'It's maybe incumbent on all of us to try to make our communities a little bit better,' says the lifelong Brandon resident. 'It doesn't take much. I didn't do it until I got hit by a car.' Hamilton leaves for Europe on Tuesday; Tour 21 starts Saturday in Lille. For details about how to make a donation, find Hamilton on Facebook, Bluesky or LinkedIn and read the pinned posts, or send an email too If you know a special volunteer, email Aaron EppReporter Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
