The Invictus Games Foundation supported 44 members of the We Are Invictus community to take part in the 15th RBC GranFondo Whistler 2024.

The Invictus Games Foundation recently supported 44 members of the We Are Invictus community to take part in the 15th RBC GranFondo Whistler 2024.

This was one of the largest Beyond the Games activities that the Invictus Games Foundation has supported and the event was held on the sites of Vancouver and Whistler, hosts for the next Invictus Games in 2025.

This activity was part of our ‘Invictus Challenges’ series, which are one-day sporting events that the Invictus Games Foundation can support by covering travel and entrance fees.

The GranFondo Whistler 2024 cycling event coincided with a visit from representatives of the Participating Nations for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 to better understand the operations of the upcoming Games in February 2025.

“This event was incredible for the We Are Invictus Community, there was a great atmosphere in the city with visits from the Participating Nations of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 and it culminated in a great event that really helped some people on their recovery journey,” said Angelo Anderson, Invictus Endeavours Administrator at the Invictus Games Foundation.

“I understand firsthand the power of recovery through sport with the Invictus Games and beyond with cycling and I’m so happy to see 44 smiling faces from the community in the Whistler Mountains healing through sport together as a family,” Angelo said.

The Invictus Challenge saw participants from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Ukraine, with Boeing supporting the event as partners of the Invictus Games Foundation and involving seven of its own participants. Upon finishing, the athletes were welcomed by Rachel Peterson, Senior Manager of Boeing Global Engagement, and Megan Bunce, Boeing’s Deputy Director of Military and Veteran Affairs.

“Having the honour to cycle this event was amazing,” said Gregory Quarles, USA.

“The experience alone, with views of the route from Vancouver to Whistler was breathtaking but most of all was meeting new friends and old friends.”

Participants in the Gran Fondo event had a choice of three different distances – Medio (55km), Gran Fondo (122km) and Forte (152km).

‘It was a fantastic event. The Medio 55km cycling race helped my entire life,” Erika Moore, CAN said.

“The most memorable moments were at the halfway point where we all came together and celebrated together our successes! It was like a great and wonderful cycling family.”

Regardless of the distance tackled, the riders converged on Whistler Mountain to celebrate together and support the activities of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 organisers who have been engaging the local community ahead of next year’s Games.

“This was a fantastic opportunity and what made it even greater than connecting with fellow competitors, was actually getting to meet the often-faceless people behind the emails, Hamish Waddilove said.

“You [Invictus Games Foundation] help lots of people with your work and I'm not sure how much you realise the massive impact it has in a positive way on our lives. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," Hamish said.

If you are a member of the international wounded, injured or sick service community, you can join the We Are Invictus platform here.

If you would like to support the work of the Invictus Games Foundation, you can donate to our cause here.