As it gears up for its third annual Capital One Race for Kids, the Boys and Girls Club of Olds and Area (BGCOA) already has twice as many teams registered this year as it did last year at this time.
“We're quite happy about that,” BGCOA chair Raelynn Notley says.
Notley is not sure why there are so many teams this year. She thinks a good part of the reason is that teams that participated last year know what it's all about and signed up this year.
Actually, Notley is hoping that by the time the race begins they'll have 30 teams.
This year's edition takes place June 11, starting at 1 p.m. at the Recreation Center (Cadet Hall, just west of the Sportsplex). Registration begins at 12 noon. Club secretary Maranda Watson says it goes rain or shine.
The start time is just one of the changes. Last year's race started in the morning.
Another is that they're starting at the Cadet Hall again, the same place the race started from the first year, she says.
A third change is the length of the race. Watson says feedback from participants called for a shorter race, so this year's event is shorter.
“This year our catchphrase if you will, is going to be, less run, more fun. I ran the race route and the maximum you could possibly run is approximately 5.6 kilometres,” she says.
But you don't actually have to run the entire route.
“We are offering a ride for the longest stretch as part of the race,” Watson says.
When the race begins, each team will be handed its first clue.
“They'll open their clue as a team and take off to their first destination. So every team goes to a different direction,” Watson says.
“They go around town to all the different places that have been set up as checkpoints and they'll make their way back. The final checkpoint will be close to the Rec Center at the finish line.”
Members of the Olds Gymnastics Club will lead the warm-up before the race and do a demonstration of their talents after the race.
The entrance fee is $400 per team. The club is offering incentives for those who raise more money than that.
Watson says if teams raise at least double that fee, they qualify for a voucher that will come in very handy on race day.
“What the voucher will do, it will give you the option to skip a checkpoint if you feel like you're behind or you don't want to do it, or it's hard, or for whatever reason.
“Or, if you think someone's coming up on your backside too quickly and you're afraid they're going to pass you, you can (have them take) a detour,” Watson says.
The voucher can also be used to obtain another ride for your team – beyond the one every team gets.
“If you're at a different spot and your team is tired and you can't make it any further, if you qualify, you can use your voucher and get a ride,” Watson says.
The race is expected to last about two hours.
When participants get back, there'll be food and refreshments.
Also, before the race, one of the teams that registered early will win a gift card to Grouchy Daddy's where they can hold an after-party.
“They will hopefully be able to carry on and encourage others to go over to Grouchy Daddy's with them,” Watson says.
Activities will be set up to keep kids interested and excited while adults participate in the race. It's part of a burgeoning partnership between the Olds and District Boys and Girls Club and other clubs and entities in the community.
“The girls from the CLC (Community Learning Campus) are going to bring over their triactive programs,” Watson says.
“The girls at the CLC have been a huge help and we're just kind of looking at doing a little bit more of that. So any other groups that are trying to get involved, we're open to different offers and really just trying to make it more about fun and community.”
“We're really excited because we're working a little closer with a couple of other community groups, like the Olds Gymnastics Club. They have their new building opening, so they're looking to do some cross promotion with us and as well for us too, we're always looking to get out,” she adds.
This year, the club's goal is to raise about $15,000. The money goes toward programming.
Last year's race raised a total of $13,955, down from the previous year, when the event raised about $26,000.
Watson says the club is aware of the effect the economy is having on residents and businesses.
“We're hoping to do better,” she says. “Our target was $15(000) because, the economy being what it is, we didn't want to get too ahead of ourselves and obviously over budget our year.”
"This year our catchphrase if you will, is going to be, less run, more fun."MARANDA WATSONSECRETARY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF OLDS AND AREA
