The snow may have just fallen, marking the beginning of winter in the Canadian Rockies, but that鈥檚 not stopping runners from dreaming of clear roads for Jasper鈥檚 inaugural half-marathon.
The Jasper Canadian Rockies Half Marathon is being organized by Multisports Canada, which hosted the 2015 GranFondo and the Jasper Triathalon, in collaboration with Tourism Jasper.
The hope is the proposed event, which is still waiting for final approval from Parks Canada, will increase visitation during the spring shoulder season.
鈥淎fter expressed interest from members of the community, Tourism Jasper reached out to a couple of sporting event specialists to see if they would be interested in hosting a running event in Jasper. Multisports Canada was extremely interested and submitted a proposal to the Jasper events and festivals committee,鈥� wrote Nancy Gordy, a communications officer for Tourism Jasper, in an emailed statement.
The 21-km race is slated for April 16, 2016 and also includes a one km family run, a five km run/walk, as well as a 10 km run.
鈥淭ypically these events start on a Sunday morning, but one of the reasons we picked a Saturday afternoon event is we鈥檙e hoping people will come in on Friday night or spend the night on Saturday,鈥� said Trevor Soll of Multisport Canada, adding there will likely be a evening reception at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge after the race is over.
According to the company鈥檚 website, the race will begin in front of the Visitor Information Centre and head out of town on Connaught Drive before turning left onto Sleepy Hollow Road.
Runners will then turn right onto Hazel Avenue to Old Fort Point Road and follow that road past the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge until they reach Lake Annette Road.
From there, runners will follow Lake Annette Road, circle Lake Edith and return the way they came.
Once they hit Hazel Avenue they will cross Connaught Drive at the lights before turning right onto Patricia Street. The finish line will be on the side of the information centre lawn, in front of the post office.
Soll said Multisports Canada鈥檚 proposal also includes an expo on the information centre lawn, similar to what the Tour of Alberta did in September.
鈥淲e鈥檙e reaching out to various vendors and sponsors, so if we can get an expo going we鈥檒l definitely be pushing for that,鈥� said Soll.
鈥淚t鈥檒l all come down to the interest from the local vendors if it鈥檚 something they see as worthwhile.鈥�
The last time Jasper hosted a weekend sporting event, organizers irked local businesses by shutting down Patricia Street and parts of Connaught Drive to allow cyclists with the Tour of Alberta to pass through town.
This time, the municipality does not intend to close any streets.
鈥淭he bylaw team has been involved in preliminary discussions with Multisports Canada and a draft traffic accommodation plan is under development,鈥� wrote Christine Nadon, communications manager for the town, in an emailed statement.
鈥淭he details have yet to be confirmed, but no road closures are planned, and limited parking disruptions will be in place in the area immediately adjacent to the information centre lawn.
鈥淲hen racers come back to town for the finish, course marshals will be ensuring their safety but no road closures or parking bans will be in place.鈥�
Parks also confirmed they are working with various partners to ensure the event will have a minimum impact on the community and environment.
鈥淲e are working with the proponents and our partners, including Tourism Jasper, on the proposal to ensure that the event would have a minimal impact on both the community and the surrounding environment before giving final approval,鈥� wrote Steve Young, a communications officer for Parks Canada, in an email.
While the event is still waiting final approval from Parks, Soll said he hopes it will attract up to 800 people.
鈥淚f we have a small participant base it would be a nice event, but obviously wouldn鈥檛 be profitable because of the logistics to bring in the event,鈥� said Soll, adding $10 from every entry will go to the Ronald McDonald House.
On race day he estimates he will likely need at least 40 volunteers to help run the event.
鈥淲e鈥檒l be reaching out to the local community to volunteer and get involved in the event in whatever capacity they can,鈥� said Soll, adding he hopes to also secure volunteers from Ronald McDonald House.
He also said any local group or club that can get 15 or 20 volunteers together for race day will be given an honourarium for their efforts.
鈥淚t should be a good kick off to the season,鈥� said Soll.
To register for the race or for more information, visit www.jaspercanadianrockieshalf.ca. Early bird prices end Dec. 31.
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
