The Rotary Club of Oak Bay is once again hosting the annual Merrython Fun Run.
The event is set for Dec. 2 at the Henderson Recreation Centre and, according to event chair Leslie Rogers-Warnock, organizers couldn’t be more excited. “It’s (Rotary’s) second year running the event and it just keeps getting better. You learn something every time you run an event like this and then you incorporate the ideas from those lessons into the next year’s event,” she said.
It’s the 33rd running of the Merrython, with previous events organized by the Oak Bay firefighters. “They’re still a big part of the run,” said Rogers-Warnock. “They come out and help us and, of course, they send out Sparky (the fire fighters’ mascot) to help out. And of course, Santa may show up as well.”
The run kicks off at 9:45 a.m. with warm up jazzercise class leading up to the 10 a.m. start for adult participants (ages 13 and older) who will participate in either the eight kilometre run or the four kilometre walk. Children can also participate in a special one kilometre event that starts at 11:15 a.m.
“One of the improvements we’ve made this year is to provide activities and child care for the kids waiting to do their run,” said Rogers-Warnock. “That way parents can do their thing and we’ll care for the little ones until they’re set to go.”
She says that organizers are paying a lot more attention to the children’s event this year and intend to make it just as special as the adults run. “The little guys deserve to have the same level of enthusiasm for their run as the adults,” she said. “They’re the adult runners of tomorrow, after all.”
Registration for the event is open until Dec. 2.
All the money raised through the run goes to the community and international projects of the Rotary Club, which raised $3,316.80 in 2011 through the generosity of the 172 adult participants and the 29 youth runners.
The rotarians are involved in projects as diverse as improving the Carnarvon water park and buying Smart Boards for George Jay Elementary school to providing dental care in Guatemala and wood burning stoves to villages in Africa.
“The Runners of Compassion running club will be back as well,” said Rogers-Warnock. “They collect non-perishable food items and winter wear and blankets.”
Registration forms for the event are available at the Henderson or Oak Bay recreation centres or can be downloaded from the event website. Registration costs are $25 for adults and $5 for children and those fees and registrations can be dropped off at the Henderson Recreation Centre, 2291 Cedar Hill X Road, Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 175 Bee Street, or at Frontrunners, 1200 Vancouver St.
More information on the Merrython can be found at oakbay.ca/parks-recreation/news/2012-merrython-fun-run-registration-now.