Amateur carpenters and privy drivers have a few more weeks to build their commodes-on-wheels and train, as the Great Cochrane Outhouse Race will take over main street in Historic Downtown once again on Sept 17.
One of the most fun events of the summer, the race is open to anyone: businesses, club teams, neighbourhood groups – basically anyone with a hammer and saw and a willingness to pilot an outhouse that will travel at breakneck speeds down a paved road in a race for glory.
Teams race against each other in custom-built outhouses mounted on bicycle wheels. Four people push, pull, or drag a fifth person as a driver, who is required to sit inside on the throne.
Ryan Baum, past president of Rocky Mountain Rotary, says they are proud to spearhead the event, which is probably entering its 21st year.
In the spirit of the fun fundraiser, Baum somewhat sheepishly admits organizers aren’t 100 per cent positive of the date of the very first outhouse races. It may be year 20 or 21, he’s not sure.
“You know what, that’s a really good question,” he laughed. “To be quite honest, I don’t think anybody really knows.”
It really doesn’t matter.
Baum said the addition of Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown in previous years added a spark to the race, as Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung challenged his counterpart to take part for the dubious bragging rights.
In 2019, Brown was racing against Genung when his outhouse began to wobble after making a turn and tumbled to the road, with Brown crashing into the pavement.
The rest of the races were called off as Brown was rushed to Foothills Hospital in Calgary for treatment. Fortunately, there were no broken bones and Airdrie’s mayor took the accident in stride, vowing to return to Cochrane to part in the Outhouse Races in the future.
Brown was later quoted as telling kids to always wear their helmets when bicycling or skateboarding.
Genung has confirmed he will be participating this year, and that his Airdrie counterpart is eager to settle the score for bragging rights between the mayors.
"Peter and I talk constantly – we have a pretty good connection," Genung said.
"Ever since he crashed I've been teasing him, since I realized his health has returned and he's OK. We keep going back and forth over who won that race, so it's only appropriate we have a rematch."
Genung said Brown has constructed his outhouse and is eager to take part.
"He is primed and ready to go," Genung said. "And I can't wait to take it to the streets of Cochrane."
To register, go to rockymountainrotary.com. The registration is by donation with no set amount, which Rotary then will distribute to local charities.
One of the recipients of Rocky Mountain Rotary’s fundraising efforts this year was the Glenbow Ranch Foundation summer camps for kids. They also have a relationship with local food banks.
Food trucks and coffee vendors will be available for spectators as they settle in around noon, with first race set to take off around 1 pm.
“It’s a blast, it’s a great community event,” Baum said.
One message Baum wanted to stress was that the outhouse races are not just for businesses or other organizations.
“We don’t want to discourage anyone from entering, the more the merrier.” he said.
“So if you’re a team, or neighbours, or want to enter as a family team, it’s open to everyone.”
Although there is a charity fundraising aspect to the event, Baum said the races are special because they’re all about community involvement.
Global TV weatherman Paul Dunphy is booked to oversee the festivities.
