Don’t let the name Big Rock Runners fool you.
They are just a group of sociable guys and gals who happen to enjoy running. They do put their running shoes on one foot at a time like everyone else.
“We have a variety of runners,” said Big Rock Runners president Jim Cadman. “While we do have some elite runners, we are all recreational runners who just enjoy the camaraderie of running together.”
The Big Rock Runners have approximately 70 members and Cadman has noticed a lot of runners enjoying the more than 50km pathway system in Okotoks he doesn’t recognize. He said he wants to make them aware of the Okotoks-based running club.
“I see a lot of people running in this area and I don’t think we have as many members in the Big Rock Runners as we could have,” Cadman said. “We want to get the word out about our club.”
The Big Rock Runners meet every Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Okotoks Recreation Centre and head out for a variety of runs based on the runners’ ability and, most importantly, whatever he or she feels like doing that morning.
The members of the Big Rock Runners know the intricate path system down cold. Runners can gain exposure to such routes as the Chuck Run, a hilly 13km circuit or the Vet Loop, an 11km jaunt or the most popular, the 8km River Valley run.
There are also routes of less then 5km for those who enjoy a leisurely jog.
All of the routes have one thing in common: they start and end at the Okotoks Recreation Centre where the runners visit over hot chocolate and/or coffee after their respective runs.
“I joined in 1989 and what I enjoy most is just visiting with people,” Cadman said. “I make a point every Saturday to try and run with the new members.”
If you enjoy running, Okotoks will bring out the Frank Shorter-Grete Waitz in all of us.
“Okotoks is a great place to run,” Cadman said. “It offers a variety of routes, some hills if you want them and the Town (of Okotoks) does a great job of keeping the paths clear. I was out running on Monday (Feb. 28) and the weather was horrible and there was someone from the Town out there with a snowblower keeping the path clear.”
The Big Rock Runners hold a running clinic every spring, which ends with a bang at the Diamond Valley 5/10km run in Black Diamond in early June.
The club also sponsors the mini Sheep River Road Race in the spring for elementary and junior high school students to get them interested at a young age in the life-long sport of running.
The Big Rock Runners also host the Sheep River Road Race every Labour Day.
For information about the Big Rock Runners go to www.bigrockrunners.com
Friendship Run
The next venture for the Big Rock Runners is the Friendship Run which is a 25km journey linking the communities of High River and Okotoks.
This year’s Friendship Run is April 2 and will start at 9 a.m. at Carlsons' on Macleod in High River and ends at the Crystal Shores Beach House in Okotoks.
Cadman has run all eight of the previous Friendship Runs, which alternates from High River to Okotoks and Okotoks to High River every year.
“I love it,” Cadman said. “It’s a chance to meet some of the runners from High River.”
Just like friends, the Friendship runners come in all varieties. There are some who run the whole distance, others who run on relay teams and some who run just a few kilometres along the route.
All are invited for laughs and pizza at the beach house at the end of the run.
“Nobody cares how good you can run,” Cadman said. “It’s just about having fun.”
There is no cost to the event. However, it is asked no runners under the age of 14 run on the highway. However, youths are invited to run in both High River and Okotoks as well as enjoy the pizza afterwards.
Participants are asked to register at Carlsons' on Macleod at approximately 8:30 a.m. They are asked to park in the lot behind Snodgrass Funeral Homes in High River so as not to take up parking for businesses in High River.
For more information about the Friendship Run, residents in the High River area can call Bruce at 403-652-7644 or in Okotoks call Norm at 403-819-9967.
