The goal is in sight April 22, when 250 entrants are expected for the fifth anniversary Run Our Shore event starting and ending at Queens Place in Liverpool.
The event, says co-race director Steve Burns, provides the option of healthy, positive activity for people from youth to adult, encourages new, local participants and health and wellness, as well as showcases the community.
The overall event will begin with a community youth event and fun run held at Pine Grove Park on Friday, April 20. Then, on Sunday, April 22, there will be a 5K run or walk, 10K and half marathon on Athletics Canada certified courses. The runs will take participants from Queens Place Emera Centre out as far as Beach Meadows and Eagle Head and back, explains Burns.
Also happening on April 22 is the Queens Place Emera Centre mobility event, held on the indoor track.
“Those who have mobility issues - and it’s been primarily wheelchair to date - also get to do some laps and be part of the event,” says Burns.
Annually, up to a dozen folks take part, he says.
Tamara Fraser, of Petite Riviere, will be running in the Run Our Shore event for the fourth year in a row. She highly recommends the experience.
“It's a great event! It is small, but with a big heart,” she says.
Fraser knows a thing or two about races, having run in lots of different places, including Iceland, Utah, San Francisco, Boston, England and PEI.
She says the race kit pick-up is fast and easy, there are lots of fun water stops, race marshals keep participants going in the right direction, and organizers serve food afterwards.
“This race is well organized, has easy access, great scenery, and is fun,” says Fraser.
Just like some of the bigger races she’s done, she says she would give it two thumbs up.
People come from everywhere to participate in the Run Our Shore event. Last year, Fraser says she paced with a woman from the US who happened to be there on vacation. There are also a lot of people from the Valley and the Halifax Regional Municipality who participate in the event.
Burns says that because of the great record of event execution established many years ago by the Privateer 5 Mile Run, which loops Liverpool and Milton, as well the fact there is a world class hosting facility in Queens Place Emera Centre, it really makes it possible to have a headquarters to showcase the great shore areas of Brooklyn through Eagle Head.
“Every time we host in Queens we make an impression and those that come get to see what we offer in community assets, enthusiasm and hospitality. They do return for multiple reasons,” says Burns.
Registration is open now for the Run Our Shore event. Participants can register at Race Roster Run Our Shore 2018 and through links provided at runourshore.com. Run Nova Scotia members receive a $5 discount and in addition this year, Burns says all events are reduced by $5 for all. In addition, Burns says, they have very cool swag like medals, shirts and a neat branded bag.
Burns says great volunteers make this all possible from Ground Search and Rescue, RCMP, Port Medway Fire Department. Businesses locally and from away have been tremendous in their support with prizes and sponsorship. Sponsors this year include Sobeys, Scotiabank and Best Western.
The atmosphere of these events is electric and so social, says Burns.
“Be there, participate and be part of it. There is music and a great reception at Queens Place too,” he added.
Learn more at www.runourshore.com
