In just over a week (March 19-20), two major running events will be taking place on the roads in Courtenay.
Seasoned running veterans and many new to the sport will race against the clock, hundreds of other runners and, most importantly, against themselves in the Learn to Run 5k Clinic grand finale and the Comox Valley Half-Marathon.
Firstly, on Saturday morning, the annual Learn to Run 5k Clinic, organized by the Comox Valley Road Runners, wraps up 10 weeks of successful training with a 5K fun run. Clinic participants have worked hard in rain and shine and are ready to put their bodies and minds to the test.
New this year, the 5K run is open to the public. Runners will start and finish in front of the Florence Filberg Centre and be cheered on by many volunteers and family members along the way. The run gets underway at 9 a.m. at the Filberg at the Anderton Road entrance and heads out Condensory Road, then back to the Filberg Center.
The run is free for clinic participants and only $5 for members of the public. “Come out take part or to cheer on these dedicated runners who have put in so much effort to run in this finale,” a CVRR spokesperson said.
Secondly is the biggest event on the CVRR’s race calendar, the Comox Valley Half-Marathon. The race is set to start on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. in front of the Florence Filberg Centre on Anderton Road in Courtenay.
Part of the Vancouver Island Race Series and also part of the popular Timex Race Series, the Comox Valley Half-Marathon has seen some amazing competitors over its many years in existence. Race director Brad Crowe and a small army of community volunteers will be out to ensure the hundreds of runners have a great race.
Over the years, the race has seen some incredible champions including Olympian Jon Brown who ran one of the fastest times in Canada in 2005 of 1 hour three minutes for 21.1K. The woman’s record is held by Stephanie Andrews in 1:16 in 1998.
The Comox Valley Half-Marathon, which had a record number of entries last year, gives the CVRR the opportunity to give to local charities through funds raised at the race. In 2011, the CVRR has chosen the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition and the Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society as the race charities.
The Half marathon race route is an out-and-back course that begins on Anderton Road at 11 a.m. (walkers will begin at 10 a.m.) in front of the Filberg Centre and heads out on a gradual uphill route until they get to the halfway point at 10.5K. The racers will turn around and fly back down the same route back to finish at the Filberg. “The course is fast and the after-race festivities are among the best of the Vancouver Island Race Series,” the CVRR spokesperson said.
For more information visit the CVRR website at www.cvrr.ca.
