Mark your calendars, call your physiotherapist, and book some time for an ice bath in the afternoon of June 12 — the seventh annual Merritt Country Run is fast approaching.
With distances of five kilometres, 10 kilometres, and a half marathon, this year’s edition promises to have something for everyone from the serious runner to the casual saunterer, said race organizer Tom Reynolds. This year’s race even has a “twice around the track” option for young and old alike.
“The community gets behind us — it gets easier every year to get that support because they know we’re not just a fly-by-night event,” he explained.
According to last year’s results, there were 140 participants in the five kilometre race, 74 in the 10k, and 22 brave souls took on the half-marathon, which winds its way around the valley and tackles some pretty serious elevation.
With race organizers expecting around 300 people to participate in the run this year, Reynolds said the appeal of running in the scenic Nicola Valley appeals to a wide variety of people.
The six straight years of sunshine on race day doesn’t hurt either, added Reynolds, who is hoping for sun again this year.
“We start the half marathon at 8 a.m., so by the time they’re back the heat of the day hasn’t started.”
All proceeds from the event go to support JumpStart, a charitable program which helps kids in financial need participate in organized sports.
Registration is still open for individuals, but the deadline for school groups is May 27.
