A popular half marathon is losing volunteers as more and more people who previously helped with the event sign up to compete.
Every year, volunteers with the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society’s Millarville Run to the Farmers’ Market Half Marathon are dropping their duties to compete in the event as it grows in popularity, according to race director Rick Charlton.
This year’s run takes place on June 14 beginning at the Oilfields Regional Arena in Black Diamond and finishes 21.1 kilometres northwest at the Millarville Race Track to kick off the opening of the Millarville Farmers’ Market season.
“I lose volunteers every year because they are volunteering one year, they see the race and want to enter it the next year,” said Charlton. “We had a number of people who wanted to do that this year.”
Among them is 67-year-old Lloyd Erickson of Turner Valley.
After volunteering for the half marathon in the event’s three years, Erickson said his daughter Riel convinced him to compete.
“We got talking and she said you should start running dad,” he said, adding he’s never run competitively in his life.
Following last year’s event, the former president of the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society began running with his daughter to get himself prepared for the following year’s event.
“It is addictive,” he said. “It’s a good way for me to get back in shape. I’ve run the distance so I know I can make it here, it’s just how fast I can make it.”
Luckily for Erickson, Charlton added a new element to the half marathon this year – the 12.8 km Cinnamon Bun Run sponsored by Cobs in Okotoks and featuring two stops to eat cinnamon buns along the way.
Erickson said it may be difficult to stop and eat while running an exhausting 12.8 km, but it’s not impossible.
His frequent 10 km runs from his home to Black Diamond and back are often rewarded halfway through with delicious smells emitting from the Black Diamond Bakery & Coffee Shop, he said.
“It could be very defeating,” he said, adding he loves his sweets. “That’s one of the main reasons I have to get out there and keep active.”
Once the Cinnamon Bun Run is behind him, Erickson aims to take it to the next level and compete in the half marathon next year.
Charlton said the Cinnamon Bun Run provides a more pleasurable experience for less competitive runners or those just starting out, and is a great addition to the half marathon and relay.
Charlton came up with the idea for the Millarville Run to the Farmers’ Market Half Marathon while trying to figure out how to increase attendance at the event’s season opener.
“I have run the course several times, that’s how the idea of it came about,” he said. “It’s been very successful in terms of meeting the goal of bringing increased awareness at our farmers’ market and supporting local agriculture producers and programming volunteerism and health and wellness in our community.”
The half marathon attracts more than 500 competitors and now brings 3,500 to 4,000 people to the racetrack for opening day of the market, compared to 2,000 to 2,500 previously, said Charlton. He said post-race surveys reveal each competitor brings two people to the market that day.
Following the half marathon, families can participate in old-time children’s events at the finish line at the infield of the racetrack including sack races, three-legged races and egg and spoon races, with ribbons and prizes for children.
The Millarville Farmers’ Market takes place at the Millarville Race Track Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 14 to Oct. 11 this year with more than 150 vendors featuring food, arts and crafts, as well as a concession, hay rides, live music, shows and special events throughout the season.
Charlton said 50 to 60 per cent of people who attend the market are from Calgary and the number of people from the foothills region is growing each year.
“We are starting to see a growing contingent from Okotoks, Millarville, Black Diamond, Turner Valley,” he said. “The contingent from the local rural area is probably quadrupled in the first three years.”
For more information on the events visit www.millarvillehalfmarathon.com and www.millarvilleracetrack.com
