Tour de La Porte (TDL) is a cycling, running and walking event to benefit youth and healthy living programs through the La Porte County Family YMCA. 100% of the proceeds raised are used to provide direct support to eligible La Porte County residents in need of financial assistance towards such programs. At the Y, they don’t turn anyone away due to the inability to pay.
This is the first year the YMCA ran and organized the event. It’s the 18th year TDL has been running, 17 of those years The Healthcare Foundation Report has run it. Then, in 2019, the TDL was handed over to the YMCA because of their mission of health and wellness. The YMCA anticipated their first year running the event to be 2020, but got postponed to this year.
“We subsidize families and individuals, whether it's childcare and our licensed child care center membership or senior discounts,” Laurie Halaska, CEO of La Porte County Family YMCA. “We evaluate every question that comes in and every request and this money earned today will go directly to those funds.”
Starting at 6:30 A.M. was on site registration as well as check-in located at the Cummings Lodge. This is where runners and walkers could collect their t-shirt, race number, snacks and for the half marathoners -- an orange wristband to help identify them.
The first day was the half marathon, 5k run, 5k non-competitive walk and the mini TDL kids obstacle course. Following the next morning with the Sunday Cycling event that consists of 5, 15, 25, 40, 60 or 100 miles.
During the event, Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, Calumet Region Striders, Athletico Physical Therapy, and Leo's Mobile Bicycle Service set up camp to help with any and all needs the runners and walkers might need.
The 2021 Sponsors that made this possible: Larson-Danielson Construction Company Inc., NIPSCO, Centier, Holladay Construction Group, Horizon Bank, American Licorice Company, General Insurance Services, Arby’s, Bloomfield Mechanical, Maple City Dentistry, Kuraray, Newby Lewis Kaminski & Jones LLP, NRP Jones, Cabinetworks Group, Family Express, Thor and Lori Thordarson, 1st Source Bank, Tech Credit Union, Athletico Physical Therapy, La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP), Absolute Wages & Business Solutions, Mark & Amy Kosior, Club Clean, Bethany Church of La Porte, Qubit Networks, The New York Blower Company.
As everyone crossed the finish line, they were handed a cold refreshment of water that Family Express provided in support. Medals were handed to those that completed the half marathon and then the winners from both the 5k run and the half marathon won a medal or a prize. For more information about who placed visit https://www.bikesignup.com.
Although it is a half marathon, the Tour De La Porte is family friendly.
“What's great about this is it includes families as well. my own family are out there right now doing the walk,” said Jessica Durham, The Director of Marketing & Special Events at La Porte YMCA. “So it's something for everybody, not just your athletes and runners”
For the cyclists, its really about the views as they get to bike through the county and see all that La Porte has to offer. The SAG stops for the cyclists insist of: Door Village United Methodist Church, Bluhm Park, Union Mills Library, Fish Lake Library, Rolling Prairie Library, Hesston Hills Banquet Center, Burn’ Em Brewing and Firefly Farm. It’s not too late to sign up for the cycling event, to sign up visit https://www.adventuresignup.com.
This year the YMCA made up to $60,000 which will all be going into their scholarship fund. It’s goal is to eventually grow this number to $100,000. If you missed it this year, look forward to it next year and help with the great cause.
