Kaity Brown/Townsman Staff
The 3rd Annual Spring Honda Fun Run, Saturday, May 11, featured runners of all ages for the first time this year.
The event started at the College of the Rockies with 5K and 10K runs. This year the event included a run for the little ones with a "twoonie" race before the big races started.
"We actually did it up to about 10 years old," said Christie Kennedy, of Core Fitness, one of the organizers of the event. "But we had a little race with the three- and four-year-olds and then the fives and sixes. Very cute.
"We just had a lot of kids participate, even in the 5k this year. So it was definitely more of a family eveny this year which is great," Kennedy said.
Kennedy also said that organizers think the kids' involvement was so successful that they will try and make it an even bigger aspect for the races to come.
"We even had P.T. the Clown up there and so it was just really fun for the kids."
With regards to the fundraiser for the ALS Society of B.C., Kennedy said that this disease has taken a toll on her and other organizers of the Fun Run.
"It is something that the four of us who organized it have all been affected by in one way or another."
The proceeds go towards helping those in Cranbrook who suffer from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disease. Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS targets the motor neurons and causes the muscles to weaken.
"It's nice because it stays close to home," Kennedy said. "All the money that we raise stays in our community to help people with ALS in our own community."
The ALS Society of B.C. is dedicated to trying to make life more manageable for those with the disease and to try to ultimately find a cure.
Overall, there was a good attendance at the event, with around 300 participants this year.
"It was a great success," Kennedy said. "We had some great elite athletes all the way down to little kids. It was a perfect sunny day and just a really great day."
Winners of the 5K run included: first place Jeff Beler with a time of 20:17, Steve Donaldson with 20:52 and Dayne Aasland 21:50. For the 10K run the top scorers were first place Dallas Cain with a time of 36:38, Ryan Cain with 36:39 and Chris Nakahara with 39:19.
Congratulations to runners of all ages and ability who participated in the Spring Honda Fun Run for the ALS Society.