As the colder winter weather gives way to warmer spring temperatures, it’s time to put on your trusty road running shoes. However, the trail shoes remain in the shoe rack for a while longer!
Some ardent runners will have trained the winter through, others taken the time off completely to pursue other activities. Already, runners are spotted daily on the streets of Nakusp and New Denver, eager to get some early training in for the upcoming race season or simply to get into shape.
Running is a very accessible sport and you only need a good pair of running shoes. Who cares what you look like?!
Running has seen a popularity boost in the local area over this last year or so, with running clinics being hosted in both Nakusp and New Denver and of course the wonderful Mothers Day 10 km race in Nakusp. The Kaslo Sufferfest is slowly spreading its wings across from Kootenay Lake to Slocan Lake. Last year saw the 100km Galena Ghost Ride start and loop from New Denver, and also the three day Loonie Toonie event.
This year sees the first ever Idaho Peak Summit Race, starting and finishing from Centennial Park, New Denver. This 45 km foot race will start immediately after the 100 km Galena Ghost Ride which finishes in Kaslo, to include once again a 30 km loop around Idaho Peak and New Denver. The running race will utilise these magnificent local mountain bike trails, maintained by countless hours of volunteer work over the years, allowing runners to access the north peak and finally the jewel – Idaho Peak itself. The height gain is a staggering one mile!
For this race to happen, we need three things to happen: competitors, volunteers (on the day and set up beforehand) and spectators.
Please do put September 28 in your diaries, and get in touch with the organizers if you think you are interested in entering, volunteering or require further information. Remember, Sufferfest is now an established event in the sporting world. Be part of its success!
And in other running news, three local runners started the ‘Hypothermic’ Half Marathon in Kamloops on Sunday 24th February: Tim Sander (Hills) took fifth place with a time of 1.35, Kelly Waterfield (Nakusp) was twelfth with a time of 1.54. Unfortunately, Jodee Zinselmeyer (Nakusp) had to withdraw due to injury after eight km.
For more information go to www.kaslosufferfest.com, or you can contact Tim Sander at 358-2721 or timsander@columbiawireless.ca about the Idaho Peak race. For Sufferfest –contact Janis Neufield 250-353-8025 (janis@kaslosufferfest.com).