Hundreds of people will lace up early Saturday morning and make tracks towards southern Alberta’s largest outdoor market.
The eighth annual Millarville Run to the Farmers’ Market Half Marathon point-to-point race through the Foothills June 15 finishes at the market for the first day of the season.
The event includes a 21.1km half marathon, two-person relay with 9km and 12.1km legs and the 12.8km Cobs Cinnamon Bun Run that has participants stopping twice to devour cinnamon buns.
“The timing of the event starts such that they take off in different directions but they all merge on Racetrack Road towards the finish line,” said Rick Charlton, race director. “We’re typically winding things up at 10:30 a.m.”
While the half marathon often draws top athletes and tough competition to the Foothills year after year, Charlton is unsure what to expect this year.
“In the past it’s been the same people winning, but so far I haven’t seen those names,” he said. “I really don’t know who is going to win or get second or third. It’s wide open.”
Charlton attributes this to the first to third place winners now receiving sponsored prizes rather than money.
More than half of the event’s participants are Calgarians, 20-30 per cent are Foothills residents and the remaining are from across western Canada.
“Half marathons are the fastest growing running event around the world,” Charlton said. “A half marathon is something most people can do. They really have to put some time into it as well, but it’s not a lifestyle change they have to engage in. It’s a good feather in the cap.”
The event was initiated to draw larger crowds to the market on opening day as the highest attendance is in July and August, said Charlton.
“Each runner typically brings 1.5 people to the finish line to eat food and go shopping at the Millarville Farmers’ Market,” he said. “There might be like 3,000 to 3,500 on a day when we might have typically seen 800 to 1,200 on opening day.”
Roads will close during the run and post-race children’s events will take place at the finish line.
The Millarville Farmers’ Market opens its doors at 9 a.m. featuring Alberta growers, farmers, makers, bakers and artists that create their own products, as well as children’s activities and music.
The $3 admission supports programming at the Millarville Racetrack.
The Millarville Half Marathon registration deadline is June 8 at 11:59 p.m. For more details about the race go to millarvillehalfmarathon.com
For more details about the market go to millarvilleracetrack.com
