This year’s DinoHalf Marathon is going to look slightly different than in 2015. 

To start off, this year will only be holding 3 events, as opposed to four in previous years. The events will include 5K family fun run, a 10 kilometer run, as well as the half marathon, which is 21.1 kilometers. 

This year the 10 kilometer run and the half marathon will be measured in Official Athletics Canada Length, so the course is being slightly changed. 

“The half marathon takes a larger loop around downtown before heading out to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, and the 10 kilometer run is the length of Midland along the river. It has improved the ten kilometer quite a bit,” says organizing committee member Jens Madsen 

So far, 200 participants have registered for the half marathon, which is ahead of last year’s registration. 

“We usually have about one-third from Calgary, one-third from Drumheller and one-third from everywhere else. This year we have registrants from as far east as Winnipeg, as far west as BC and as far north as Fort McMurray,” says Madsen.  

The proceeds for this event are being donated to The Badlands Community Facility and towards mental health. 

The half marathon is set to take off on Sunday, September 11. 

For 16 years, disc golf players have been descending on the valley for the Lost Egg Classic.

The annual tournament is set to go July 30-31 in Wayne. It has become a tradition for the Alberta disc golf community.

“We did preregistration this year just because the demand has been growing, and we are almost sold out,” said organizer Elijah Isaac.  “We have 105 people registered and paid up, and we have room for 110.”

Registration is now closed.

Isaac had been involved in disc golf for a number of years and this is his sixth year organizing this tournament. Over the tournament’s history, the sport has been gaining momentum and followers.

“It is one of those things where it has just been growing slowly and steadily. Since I took over, my goal was just to try to make it bigger and better every year,” he said.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, it is a cross between Frisbee and golf.  The game is played out very much like golf, but on natural terrain. Rather than using a ball and clubs, the player throws discs. These vary in weight and size depending on distances. The ‘holes’ are stationary posts.

Because of the low expense and minimal impact or upkeep, courses have been springing up in communities across Canada and the US. There are even professional ranks.

“When you start going into the United States and other places like that, there are people who are making their living off playing disc golf,” said Isaac.

Wayne is the original site for the tournament. For a few years it was played at the Morrin Bridge Recreational area, but has since returned to its  roots.

“I think this is year seven that we have been back at Wayne,” said Isaac. 

Wayne now has a permanent course and there are plans to install one in Midland Provincial Park, and possibly in Horseshoe Canyon.

They have been exploring hosting a larger competition in the valley.

“We have a maximum capacity of 110 with one course, we can’t fit any more people on the course,” said Isaac. 

If another course opens up, they could double the size of the event.

The tournament plays this Saturday and Sunday. There are many places to watch, get a taste for the sport and meet some of the players.

More information is available at www.thelostegg.com.