The longest Red River Mutual Trail since 2009

Today the 2018 Red River Mutual Trail officially opened up this year with a full 7.5 kilometres stretching from Churchill Drive to Arlington Street.

The Red River Mutual Trail construction is officially complete and offers skaters, walkers, cyclists, cross-country skiers, and joggers a full 7.5 kilometres -- the longest trail in almost a decade.

Paul Jordan, Chief Executive Officer at the Forks says, "we're excited to be afforded the conditions to extend the trail down both the Red and Assiniboine this year and offer this mode of connection to various communities. It's outstanding to see this city come to life on the rivers in the wintertime -- whether people are using it to commute to work daily, or as a fun family activity on evenings and weekends."

Mayor Brian Bowman cut through the red ribbon while driving the world's only vegetable-fueled ice resurfacer through the red ribbon.

"That's one for the bucket list. The Forks continues to bring

Winnipeggers and visitors together, year after year, season after season, today is no different," Bowman says, "I want to say congratulations and thanks to everybody involved for allowing us to continue to celebrate being a winter city. This continues to get better and better every year."

He visited with people shortly afterward, especially visited with a particularly fortunate purebred husky.

The Red River Mutual Trail opened December 22nd and has been open for a total of 33 days since. 2017's trail was only open for 33 days in total. Since it's been open this year, over 77,000 visitors have taken the trail.

In addition to the trail on the rivers, there is one full kilometre of on-land skating trail that is part of the Arctic Glacier Winter Park.

In 2009, the Red River Mutual Trail won the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest skateable trail at 9.34 kms.