Gord Kurenoff: Cowabunga, there’s new runs for turtles, butterflies, saluting culture – Vancouver Sun

With the Lower Mainland road racing spotlight focused on Peninsula Runners’ Fort Langley Half Marathon and 5K (Sunday morning, July 14) and the uncertainty over defending overall champion Drew Nicholson‘s status before the 16th annual event, we check in with the busy Surrey speedster.

For the record, Nicholson is entered to race Sunday in B.C.’s beautiful birthplace, and he just rode his bike 160 kilometres from Surrey to Cultus Lake/Columbia Valley in a mid-week rain, so he’s hoping to compete but reports a “nagging right knee” issue — “possibly a MCL sprain” — could derail his title defence and-or overall performance.

As I’ve scribbled in this space before, it’s always strange seeing someone wearing Vancouver Canucks’ gear finish first, but Nicholson in his signature Canucks’ headband enjoyed a banner season in 2018, winning in Fort Langley (1:17:18), then Squamish (August Squamish Days 8K, 27:28) and posted a number of PBs and impressive times in other elite events.

The guy is a beast and continues to train hard and improve his times. If he lines up, and he says his “fingers are crossed,” expect him to contend. Suzy Slane of Abbotsford was the top woman last year (and seventh overall) in 1:29:47. For last year’s recap, click HERE.

I’ll be crawling in Sunday’s 5K, which starts at 8 a.m. — 30 minutes after the half marathon leaves the historic Fort starting gate — and hope to whip up a photo-filled blog with results of that hometown experience later in the week, plus a look at more upcoming runs, including the popular Summerfast 10K on Saturday, July 20 in Stanley Park.

Until then, we take a look ahead at some new fun runs and upcoming events planned for the Lower Mainland:

5K Turtle Dash & 1K Hatchling Fun Run

Saturday, Sept. 14

Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove

Cowabunga dudes and dudettes, it’s a zoo debut in Aldergrove for a September running shell-abration.

This inaugural family-themed event, designed to raise funds for GVZoo’s many conservation projects, will have medals and souvenir shirts for participants plus post-race snacks.

The 5K race starts at 9:45 a.m. — 15 minutes after the 1K Hatchling Fun Run goes. For more info, directions to the zoo and to sign up, click HERE.

I ran dressed as a Ninja turtle for West Van Run‘s March 5K two years ago, and last year — after adding a zipper to the one-piece outfit to make bathroom breaks possible (rookie mistake in West Van, smile) — took part in Running Tour Inc.’s popular Big Easter Fun Run with a bunch of speedy “hare-brains” and Big Bunny Baxter Bayer at Jericho Beach Park. I shell-dom have that much fun chasing pace bunnies!

This September, however, I’ll be a real slow poke in the Under Armour Eastside 10K on Sept. 14 and will sadly miss the zoo debut, but I’m sure it will be hellacious!

Rainforest Trail Run

Sunday, Sept. 29 | 5K

Burnaby Central Park

The first Rainforest Trail Run, a five-kilometre fun run through the scenic trails of popular Central Park in Burnaby on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People, was conceived by Vancouver Sun Run co-founders Doug and Diane Clement as a way to help stimulate physical activity among people in local Indigenous communities.

All runners are encouraged to take part, but a special focus of the initial organizers, the Achilles International Track and Field Society, will be on training Indigenous coaches and leaders to promote participation, either through running or walking, within their communities.

“This event provides an opportunity for a greater understanding of our Indigenous culture through the sharing of art and music in a festival-like atmosphere,” says Dr. Doug Clement, president of the Achilles Society.

“The public will be exposed to thousands of years of rich evolution of our Indigenous patterns, while at the same sharing in positive approaches to optimal lifestyles via exercise and nutrition.”
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The inaugural 5K run will be held one year after the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame opened its new Indigenous Sport Gallery celebrating the many contributions to sport by First Nations athletes, teams, coaches and builders in B.C.

To sign up for the event, which starts at 10 a.m. and is limited to the first 1,500 entries, click HERE.

There will be finisher’s medals, food and post-race celebrations.

Butterfly Run Vancouver

Saturday, Oct. 5 | 5K, 2K Run/Walk

South False Creek seawall

The inaugural Butterfly Run Vancouver will be a welcome addition for a lot of women and families in B.C.’s Lower Mainland.

The event — which starts Oct. 5 at 10:15 a.m. with the 5K run, followed by the 2K run/walk 15 minutes later — also features a memorable wrap-up celebration at Creekside Community Centre at 11:30 a.m.

“The reason we’re organizing the Butterfly Run in Vancouver is because as a group of mothers who have experienced loss, we know the importance of supporting one another,” says upbeat event chair Kimberly Lockhart.

“No one should feel alone regardless of where they are in their journey through parenthood. The Butterfly Run is a memorial run/walk so we can remember our babies who have passed away, and is also our way of raising awareness about infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss.

“Together we can help hold one another up and we can break down the silence and stigma surrounding infertility and pregnancy loss. We hope that with this event, future families who experience loss will have more resources available to them as well.”

It is estimated one in four women in Canada will experience miscarriage or pregnancy loss (also known as perinatal loss) and that one in six Canadians experience infertility. The Butterfly Run will not only increase awareness but honour the memory of the children who passed away.

This event supports the many fine programs at B.C. Women’s Hospital, plus its supporting programs.

Adds Lockhart: “Being a bereaved parent is a path that no one should walk alone. Butterfly Run Vancouver is a celebration of life, no matter how long or short.”

For more information, or to register, click HERE.

July-August at a glance

• July 14: Fort Langley Half Marathon and 5K

• July 14: 5 Peaks at Cypress Race Series, 6.5K, 11K, Kids 3K, Children’s 1K

• July 20: Summerfast 10K at Stanley Park

• July 21: Jog for the Bog 5K/10K at Delta Nature Reserve

• July 21: Vancouver Pride Run & Walk 5K and 10K

• July 27: MEC 10K and 5K Trail Race at Rose Park

• July 27: Buckin’ Hell 30K, 50K, 50K relay, Kids 1K at Panorama Park

• Aug. 4: Squamish Days 8K and Flashback Mile

• Aug. 8: Lions Gate Road Runners Miracle MIle at Balaclava Park

• Aug. 10: Chilliwack Fair 8K and 4K Donut Dash

• Aug. 10: Running Room 10K Trail Run, Burnaby Lake

• Aug. 17-18: Squamish 50, 50K, 50M, 50-50, 23K

• Aug. 17: Lululemon Seawheeze Half Marathon

• Aug. 17: REVEL Chilliwack Marathon and Half-Marathon

• Aug. 24: 5 Peaks Whistler Blackcomb, 6.6K, 10.6K, Kids 3K, Children’s 1K

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gkurenoff@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/ohgord