Those wanting to get a jump on their 2016 goals, or want to inspire others to get in on the road to fitness can register for the Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon.
The Dinosaur Half is slated to go Sunday, September 11. Leading up to the event, organizers have opened registration in time for Christmas. In previous events, registration typically opened in April.
In fact they have even included a link for “gift registrations.”
This year there will be a full slate of events including the 5k family walk and run, the 10k race and the half marathon. This season organizers have opted to not stage the full marathon. This was introduced at the fifth anniversary of the event and carried into the sixth annual Dinosaur Half.
One of the organizers Jens Madsen says because it is a strain on the volunteer base, it makes sense not to run the event. This doesn’t mean it is gone forever.
“I’m not saying we are never going to do the marathon again but right now we are in a building year, and want to get back to where we started,” said Madsen.
Over the first six years of the event, the Dino Half has raised $100,000 and has donated that to support the Badlands Community Facility.
Madsen says they are looking at other important causes in the community to support.
“In addition to the BCF, we are going to do some type of mental health or emotional health initiatives,” he said. “As a board we would like to try some initiative that raises the mental health or emotional health question. There is such a stigma, and suicide rates are up in Alberta. It is just something that we as a board thought maybe there needs to be some education around this.
Registration opened December 11. To register, or cross that loved one off your Christmas list and gift a registration, go to www.dinosaurhalf.com and follow the links.
