The route is set and the volunteers are ready. All the event needs is for you to show up.
Sunday, September 11, will see the reinvigorated Lake Cowichan Terry Fox Run take place.
People of all ages, sizes, and ability are being encouraged to show up to participate in whatever capacity they’re interested in participating at.
“People can walk, run, or whatever,” one of the event’s organizers Jean Cozens said.
If money’s a barrier, Cozens is quick to point out that there’s no entrance fee; it’s simply a by-donation event.
“We really do need people to come out. The more the better!” she said.
Participants will meet at Lake Cowichan’s Saywell Park for registrations beginning at 9 a.m.
During this time, warm up exercises to music will also take place.
At about 10 a.m., the singing of O’Canada will signal the beginning of the walk, with participants heading down the Trans Canada Trail for up to a 10 kilometre jaunt.
Participants can choose how much of the trail they wish to travel, maintaining the ability to turn back whenever they choose.
Volunteers will be available down the route to point people in the correct direction. They will also be handing out orange slices and drinks to participants along the way.
The first stretch of the walk is a beautiful one, Cozens said, with the Cowichan River visible alongside a natural forest view.
“The final leg will be down Greendale Road, and for the final part we’ll just go through town so we’ll be more visible,” Cozens said.
Following the walk/run/bike ride, participants will be encouraged to reconvene at Saywell Park for a bit of a social.
This year’s Lake Cowichan Terry Fox Run is being organized by the Cowichan Lake Retreads Hiking Club.
Cozens said that the inspiration to host the event came as a result of an article in the Gazette, which included a call-out for people to organize the event after it had been cancelled the previous year.
In order to ensure the event’s success, it was re-scheduled for September 11 so that it didn’t have to compete with the Saturday, September 17, Great Lake Walk.
As such, this weekend’s walk is something of a warm-up to the 56-kilometre Great Lake Walk around Cowichan Lake.
Regardless of the event’s success this year, Cozens said that it’s officially an annual event, again.
“I have my teeth in it now. Even if just the Retreads show up, I intend to do this every year,” she said.
Cowichan Lake Recreation can be contacted for more information on the Lake Cowichan Terry Fox Run, at 250-749-6742.