Organizers of the Loon Lake Race held an emergency meeting over the weekend to decide the fate of the annual BC Special Olympics-Powell River fundraising event and decided that it would go ahead as planned.
Road work combined with low early bird registrations has made the organizers nervous. The race has been held annually for the past 17 years.
Organizers met Sunday, September 29. “BC Parks had scheduled refits on two of the bridges into Inland Lake, but apparently that’s all okay,” said Val Rothwell, a local Special Olympics spokesperson.
Rothwell said Special Olympics is hoping that more runners will register on the day of the race.
“If it’s a nice day we hope that people come and register then,” she said, adding that the event is also fun for people to come out and cheer the participants on.
This year the race is being sponsored by Sunshine Coast Athletics.
The event is planned for Sunday, October 6, and participants can choose to run, walk or cycle the relatively flat trail around Inland Lake, formerly known as Loon Lake. Runners have the option of a seven- or 13-kilometre race course, while the walkers and cyclists will have to complete the whole 13-kilometre loop. The running race will start at 11 am and the walking and cycling will start at 10 am.
While there may be some Special Olympics athletes competing in the event, the race is primarily for anyone who loves to run.
“It’s an event for all,” Rothwell added. “It’s a beautiful trail that’s wheelchair accessible.”
Rothwell said the organizers are hoping to raise the profile of the race to attract runners from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island to attend.
The annual Inland Lake race is an important fundraiser for Special Olympics, a community sports association for athletes with developmental disabilities or brain injuries.
“For Special O, this is one of our main fundraising events and those dollars help fund the programs we offer to our athletes,” she said.
The athletic association offers a number of different programs, which include: swimming, bocce, bowling, curling, floor hockey, golf and softball.
The funds help pay for sending athletes to regional, provincial and national events.
Seventeen Powell River athletes participated in the provincial games held this summer in Langley and seven athletes will compete at the nationals this year, said Rothwell.
She said the sports organization is always open “for people who are looking for a way to play sports or be inspired or have an impact on community.”
Participants can register online or locally at Avid Fitness Center. They can also register at the event.
“So far registration has been low,” she said, “but it’s not too late.”
