Ringette all-nighter

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” said Artemis Erfle, 47, of Pointe Claire. This will be Erfle’s second time taking part in the all-night marathon raising funds for the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, which will take place this Friday evening and Saturday morning from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the Bob Birnie Arena in Pointe Claire. “Once you’ve done it once, you’re hooked,” Erfle said.

The marathon will kick off with short exhibition games for the elementary and high school students in the Sport Études program. At 10:30 p.m., eight teams made up of women between 18 and 60 years old will play ringette until 6 a.m. the next morning, with each player skating about three to four hours total.

“It’s incredible. You never think you’re going to be able to stay up all night,” said Ringette Skates for a Cure Montreal Style publicist Brenda Beaulne, 52, who skated in last year’s event. “There’s so much adrenaline when you get there. It’s just so exciting.”

The Montreal marathon was inspired by a similar event held by a group of ringette players in Ottawa in 2005 to welcome back a breast cancer survivor to the game. The first Montreal edition, dubbed Chicks with Sticks, was held a year later and raised $22,500 through pledges.

“You feel you’re doing something that’s really important to help,” Erfle said, adding, as a women’s sport, ringette is an ideal way to have that sense of community. One of Friday’s participants is currently going through breast cancer treatment herself. “She’s a real inspiration to the rest of us. She’s the type of person who’s not going to let this get her down.”

“Virtually everybody knows someone who’s going though breast cancer or has gone through breast cancer,” Beaulne added. The event’s program will also feature a ‘dedications page,’ where each participant has written a note about why they are playing in the marathon.

Although the event may be taking place a little late — or early — for most people, Beaulne said members of the community are welcome to come out and support the ladies.

“Sure, if they want to stay up. We don’t have many fans,” Beaulne said laughing.

The Second Annual Ringette Skates for a Cure Montreal Style marathon will kick off at 10 p.m. this Friday at the Bob Birnie Arena, 96 Douglas-Shand Ave. in Pointe Claire, and continue until 6 a.m. the next morning. For more information, visit www.montreal.ringetteskatesforacure.ca.