It has been confirmed there will be a running road race in Drumheller this fall, and it has Community Futures' name written all over it.
Community Futures in Drumheller is the naming sponsor for the event, officially called the Community Futures Big Country Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon. It is scheduled for Sunday, September 12, and is the first of what is planned to become an annual event.
“In celebration of our 25th year of operation as Community Futures, we are more than pleased to be able to help launch this first annual road race. Our goal is to create yet another event that will attract athletes and spectators to the area in our shoulder season,” said Wayne Hove general manager of Community Futures.
The tag line for the Dinosaur Half is “Run Drumheller…It’s in your backyard.”
The challenging, but scenic 21 kilometre race is open to all runners of all abilities. It starts at the Little Church and heads directly north up the gravel hill to Fox Coulee, and then will head east past the airport. It will proceed down into the valley where it will join up with Highway 9, travel down the “North Hill” into Drumheller, and then head back west to end at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Spectators will have a great opportunity to view the race along Dinosaur Trail.
Coordinating chair and avid runner Colin Kloot said the event is long overdue.
“I have been dreaming of staging a race in Drumheller for some years,” said Kloot. “Thanks to Wayne Hove and Community Futures, this dream will become a reality. The course is very challenging and highlights all aspects of our community, of fering views of the valley, grain fields, the oldest oil jacks in the area, The Handhills and of course, Dinosaur Trail.”
He adds, all profits will be donated to the Badlands Community Facility.
There are categories for all ages and prizes will be awarded to the first three runners in:
• Male and female runners 18 and younger
• Male and female 19 through 39
• Male and female 40 through 49
• Male and female 50 through 59
•Male and female 60 and older
Each participant completing the half marathon will receive a race medal.
While there is some time until the race to get in shape to challenge the 21K course, there are other ways to get involved in the race.
In concert with the Dinosaur Half is a 5 km family fun run and walk that will take place around the Royal Tyrrell Museum site. This event is open to children and family members of all ages and fitness levels.
There are also a number of volunteer opportunities coming with the event. The committee will be looking for volunteers to coordinate and assist with parking, registration, water stations, medical assistance and event logistics to name a few.
The organizing committee, including Colin Kloot, Becky Kowalchuk, Wayne Hove, Jens Madsen, Kate Bishop, Karen - Lee Andrew and Bob Sheddy have already put in much of the ground work. Officials from the Drumheller Half have met with the Drumheller RCMP, Starland County administration and the Town of Drumheller administration to confirm support and assistance with traffic control. As well, the committee has been working with the Royal Tyrrell Museum staff and administration to potentially use the museum overflow parking lot as a staging site for the event.
The committee is offering sponsorship opportunities for components of the event, such as gift bag items, meal sponsors, entertainment sponsor, water station sponsors, and timing sponsors.
The four levels of sponsorship are: Platinum ($2,000 or more); Gold ($1,000 through $1,999); Silver ($500 through $999); and Bronze ($50 through $499). Depending on its level of sponsorship, a business logo will be included in the race program and on race T-shirts.
If you are interested in volunteering or being an event sponsor, please email colin.kloot@drumhellerlaw.com.
Watch for the website www.drumhellerhalf.com, which will be set up by the end of April, to allow for online registrations, and include all pre-race details. Early registrants may be eligible for a limited number of free T-shirts.
