The Blackfalds Fun Run and Walk is returning for the sixth year. The annual run is set for this Saturday.
Abbey Centre Guest Services Coordinator Carol Simpson said the event is a great motivator to get the community to be active and involved.
“It’s really a great event. It’s family-friendly and it’s for a worthwhile cause,” she said.
Simpson said over the past five years, the Optimist Club of Blackfalds hosted the run, but the Town of Blackfalds has taken over hosting the event this year.
“It’s evolved each and every year,” she said. “The Town felt it was a worthwhile event to continue on.”
For the first four years, the proceeds raised through the run went towards the Blackfalds Field House Society. Last year, as the Abbey Centre and field house had been completed, the funds were channeled towards the Blackfalds FCSS Programs Admissions and Sports Subsidy (PASS).
The PASS program assists in subsidizing low-income families and individuals wishing to use the Abbey Centre and other Town programs. This year, the proceeds will again go towards PASS.
Participants can choose from a 3km, 5km or 10km route.
Simpson, a runner herself, helped design the route six years ago.
“It’s quite a nice route,” she said. “We tried to highlight the Town of Blackfalds as much as possible, with the parks, trails and green spaces.”
The 3km and 5km routes stay on the west side of the Town. The 10km route crosses over to the east side of the town. The RCMP will be on hand to provide a safe crossing across Hwy. 2A for the runners.
“It’s a very well-marked route and maps are available.”
A water station will be strategically placed along the route along with kilometre markers and a timing clock will be at the start and finish for runners to note pace.
Depending on the weather, the fun run usually draws between 200 to 300 participants. The Blackfalds Fun Run and Walk is set for May 2nd starting at the Abbey Centre (4500 Womacks Road).
Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a warm-up at 9:45 a.m. and the race start at 10 a.m. Registration costs $25 for an adult, $15 for a student or 55-plus, $65 for a family of four and $10 for an additional family member.
The first 300 participants registered will receive a registration bag and a shaker bottle or a sling pack. Attendees are encouraged to register early, but registrations are still accepted the morning of the race.
Participants will have access to showers and lockers for warming up, race preparation and storage of belongings in the Abbey Centre, but the registration fee does not include admission into the entire facility.
For more information or to register visit the Abbey Centre, call 403-885-4039 or email guestservices@blackfalds.com.
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