Organizers of Texada Island’s first marathon invite any long-distance runner looking for a challenge, to join them on the island August 28.
Called “Run the Rock,” the full (42.2-kilometre) or half (21.1-kilometre) marathon between Shelter Point Park and Blubber Bay offers natural surroundings, spectacular scenery and terrain so hilly that race director Rob McWilliam said “it’s worth bragging rights to do.”
Runners have already registered for the race from the Yukon, Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. For a $30 registration fee, runners receive a Run the Rock T-shirt, insurance, food and water along the course, other goodies and chances to win prizes. Net proceeds will go to the Texada Food Bank and Texada Arts, Culture and Tourism Society (TACT), the sponsoring organization.
TACT president Bob Timms said the race will challenge “the best of the best,” and will showcase what the island has to offer the running community.
Maureen Northrop, race co-marshall, said when she moved to the island 17 years ago, she and co-marshall husband Dave Northrop were the only long-distance runners. “People who saw us running asked if we were chasing something,” she laughed. Now, there are about 25 regular runners on Texada. “This year’s race is our first baby steps,” she added, “with next year’s race promising to be bigger and better.”
McWilliam hopes the race will become an annual event with additions of a relay or five-kilometre and 10-kilometre distances in the future to attract more runners.
“Texadans are worried about the local economic downturn and rising ferry fares and there’s no silver bullet to fix these things,” he said. “Events like Run the Rock challenge people’s attitudes toward our island as we look for ways to bolster our sagging economy.”
Doby Dobrostanski, providing the graphics and communications for the race, said volunteers are already coming forward, “indicative of the interest and support islanders have for sporting events of this magnitude. The race is an ambitious project for Texada, but is a promise of things to come.”
In addition to TACT, support has come from Avid Fitness Center Ltd. in Powell River, Texada Quarrying Ltd./Lafarge, the RCMP, Studio on Dogwood, Impact Magazine, Texada Island Inn, First Credit Union and the Coastal Water Suppliers Association.
Runners can register online or by phoning McWilliam at 604.486.0377. Runners must be 16 years of age or older to do the full marathon. Information is available on the Avid Fitness website, or by calling McWilliam. More volunteers are still needed. Those interested should call race volunteer coordinator Sharon Scott at 604.486.6986.
The full marathon starts at 8:30 am at Shelter Point Park, where camping is available. The half marathon starts at 10 am at Van Anda Elementary School. The course is open for six hours only, so walkers will not be permitted along the full marathon course. Shuttle service is available from the ferry dock in Blubber Bay to the race starting points, if the request is made at the time of registration.
