Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Runners were treated to sunny weather and temperatures reaching 25 C during the annual Jasper Canadian Rockies Half Marathon on April 29.
Trevor Soll, owner and director of MultiSportsCanada, which organized the half marathon, said this was the nicest weather that the half marathon has had since its inception.
鈥淐an鈥檛 complain about the weather, that鈥檚 for sure,鈥� Soll said.
鈥淎t the end of the day, everyone had a fabulous time and obviously enjoyed Jasper and the race course. It was a great experience.鈥�
The half marathon itself was 21.1 kilometres, and there were also the 10-kilometre, five-kilometre and one-kilometre runs, with the one-kilometre event being the Family Fun Run.
The race began at the RV parking lot near Home Hardware and crossed the highway to loop around Old Fort Point Road.
Those who ran the entire distance went to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and beyond.
Over 900 people registered for this year鈥檚 event, which is a decrease from the 1,000 registrants last year.
Soll speculated the Edmonton Oilers hockey game may have contributed to the lower turnout.
In addition, MultiSportsCanada joined forces with the Jasper Healthcare Foundation to help raise funds for local health care.
Last year, the half marathon managed to raise $15,000 in 2022.
Fundraising totals for this year weren鈥檛 available by press time, but Soll said it was likely down since entries overall had dropped.
The half marathon was overall a festive affair, owing much to the summer-like weather.
Anyone wishing to participate or volunteer in an outdoor racing event may be interested in joining the or the , both on June 3.
