Tomorrow, September 24th, Jericho Beach Park will come alive with the footsteps of runners, families, elite athletes, and enthusiasts alike as they participate in the Vancouver Spirit Run, an event that pays tribute to the dream of Coach Frank Reynolds, who coached with the NorWesters Track and Field Club for over 17 years. He had the vision of a mass participation cross country event that fosters unity among individuals of all ages and abilities. In addition to fostering athleticism, this event provides valuable support to British Columbia High School and University athletes by means of charitable contributions and scholarship initiatives.
Read on to find out more about the venue, race schedule, and the previous year's victors.
A Picturesque Setting
Jericho Beach Park, the stage for the 2023 Vancouver Spirit Run, offers a breathtaking backdrop. The course presents a diverse terrain including grass, gravel and hills. To add a touch of excitement, organizers have included straw bales for runners to leap over. Not to mention the park boasts a rich history of hosting provincial and national cross country races, making it the perfect location for the race. Runners such as Cam Levins, Mohammed Ahmed and Natahsa Wodak have competed at the venue!
Race Schedule
The Vancouver Spirit Run caters to participants of all ages and skill levels, offering a wide range of race categories. The 2023 event's schedule is as follows:
10:00 AM: 14/15 F/M U16 - 3KM
10:20 AM: 16/17 F/M U18 - 4KM / 5KM
11:00 AM: 18+ F U20 / Open / Masters - 8KM (*U20 Women 6KM)
12:00 PM: 18+ M U20 / Open / Masters - 8KM
1:00 PM: 1-8 F/M U9 - 1KM
1:20 PM: 9 F/M U10 - 1.5KM
1:40 PM: 10 F/M U12 - 2KM
2:05 PM: 11 F/M U12 - 2KM
2:25 PM: 12 F/M U14 - 3KM
2:50 PM: 13 F/M U14 - 3KM
3:10 PM: All Ages F/M Open Relay & Family Fun Run / Relay: 4 x 1km / Family Fun Run: 1km
Last Year's Champions
In 2022, the Vancouver Spirit Run showcased a lot of talent Here are the champions from various categories:
U14 Men: Casey Hemstead
U14 Women: Katherine Kennedy
U16 Men : Steph Snyman
U16 Women: Rory O'Brien
U18 Men : Yemane Mulugeta
U18 Women: Sidney Clement
U20 Men: Owen Lloyd
U20 Women: Amelia Pfohl
Open Men: Tyler Dozzi
Open Women: Kiana Gibson
Stay tuned as the results start to trickle in!