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Lace those running shoes up: It鈥檚 racing time.
The annual Spring Run Off, a May tradition in Jasper for more than 30 years, was cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
But thanks to Jasper Physiotherapy and Health Centre鈥檚 new virtual running club, the race can go ahead.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a new way to race against someone,鈥� said Lada Kralova, a massage therapist from Jasper Physiotherapy and the driving force behind Jasper Virtual Racing.
鈥淚t gives you the opportunity to run whenever you want and you can do the race many times and count your best effort.鈥�
Jasper Virtual Racing takes place on an app called Strava.
Every week a new race around Jasper is available to compete in - just log in, search for Jasper Virtual Racing, view the weekly race segment, and go.
Race times are logged in the app so you can see how you compare against others.
鈥淲e were seeing way more people on the trails and our goal was to bring people together,鈥� said Kralova, a former competitive racer.
鈥淚f we can鈥檛 have official racing this is a nice motivation to keep going.
鈥淚t's so easy to set up and it鈥檚 fun finding different segments.鈥�
The first few races launched were shorter family friendly routes to test the system but longer runs will be included later on. You can even time the weekly smaller segment as part of your longer run.
And the Spring Run Off will be available on Strava from Saturday, May 16 and you have until midnight of May 23 to complete it.
The 10 kilometre running/walking race will be the same route as usual - starting and ending at Lake Annette, taking runners around nearby Lake Edith and through forested trails surrounding the lakes.
The Race Fee is by donation and all funds raised will be given to Jasper Healthcare Foundation.
Donate directly online at or drop off donations to Jasper Physiotherapy and Health Centre in a ziplock with your name.
Each registrant who finishes gets $25 ebucks to spend at Totem Ski Shop and there are 50 T-shirts to give away to finishers.
Tips for new runners
- Find a Learn To Run program that seems reasonable.聽
- If you have never really been a runner, start with run and walk.聽
- Start with short distances and focus on the recovery part.聽
- Always stretch
- Don鈥檛 worry so much about technique and pace, just get out and enjoy it and come up with realistic goals.聽
- If you are having issues don鈥檛 run through it.聽
- Go up in total running volume about 10 per cent a week.聽
- For now, don鈥檛 race but take part and complete the route and feel good about it.聽聽
