Even in a downturn in the economy, the Dinosaur Valley Marathon continues to be a strong destination-running event, with registration pushing the 400 mark.

The road race, which features a marathon, half marathon, a 10k and a 5k family fun run, is set to go this Sunday, September 13. Registration is open until an hour before start time on the day of the race. So if you are still sitting on the fence on whether to challenge your mettle for a medal, it’s not too late.

“We are all ready to roll. Everyone who is local who wants to run, walk or jog the 5k, the 10k, or even the half marathon, get on it. They can register up until an hour before the race,” said member of the racing committee Colin Kloot.

The marathon and early start time for the half marathon are 7 a.m. The start time for the regular half marathon is 8 a.m., the 10k starts at 8:15 a.m. and the 5k starts at 8:30 a.m.

Last year the event, on its fifth anniversary, added a full marathon and had 17 runners taking on the course. The marathon is back and has seen a modest increase in numbers. Registration has picked up for the other events and as of Wednesday there were 374 registered.  

“It’s usually the locals that kick into gear and the 5k numbers are picking up, we are expecting a few more in the 10k, and the 21k, to pick up some more,” said Kloot.

What sets this event apart from races throughout the province is the incredible landscape and terrain that runners are exposed to. This includes the Badlands, the Red Deer River valley and the sweeping prairie vistas.

“We are a destination run,” he said, adding on the day of the event, Rush Sports Message will be there giving massages for participants. The McDonald’s coffee truck and face painting will also be onsite, as well as other exhibitors.

He says when registering the event, they were advised to expect a drop in participation because of the economy.

“All the races are down all over the place,” said Kloot. “Some races are down 50 per cent, so we are holding our own.”

The event could always use more volunteers to help to make the day run smoothly. For more information contact Jens Madsen at 403-823-0173 or Becky Kowalchuck 403-823-0433.

It was an Alberta break year for Drumheller, as inSide Drumheller tallies up its annual Great Dinosaur Hunt.

After one of the busiest summers in recent memories, the tourism season is winding down.

And so does another year of the DrumhellerTourism insert in inSide Drumheller, a great source for locals and visitors to keep track of all that Drumheller has to offer.

In what has become a tradition for inSide Drumheller, after a winner is selected, the entry box is broken open to have a look at some of the valley visitors’ impressions.

  While this year there were entries from Langley, B.C. to Moncton, New Brunswick, the bulk of entries were from our great province.  As usual, there was a strong contingent from Calgary and Edmonton, but there were also many entries from communities such as Camrose, Drayton Valley, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

The responses also ran the gamut of age, as one commenter, quipped, “Absolutely amazing, …parents were bored, but I loved it.”

To another who said “I felt like a kid again.” 

As per usual, the dinosaurs in town were a big hit. As one visitor from Medicine Hat remarked  early on in the season, “These dinosaurs were well maintained, but there were lots around town  badly in need of a paint job.”  

Only a few weeks later, the new looks of the dinosaurs were lauded including one comment from Hanna, describing them as “spectacular.”

It appears that Drumheller is no longer a one–trick town, with comments about many different amenities; from the landscape and Hoodoos to the museums, parks and walking paths. One visitor from Lacombe summed up her experience in Drumheller; “It’s the best place I have been, there is so many fun things here.”

The Great Dinosaur Hunt is open to all readers of inSide Drumheller, not just visitors, and because of this, civic pride continues to shine through.

“Most unique and wonderful place in the country” said one Rosedale responder.