When the pandemic began in March, many
Canadians figured we’d sit tight a couple of weeks
and this thing would blow over. Fast forward nine months
and COVID-19 is still an everyday consideration. When
race directors canceled their 2020 events, few considered
the possibility of having to cancel their 2021 events
as well. However, as 2020 draws to a close without an
end to the pandemic in sight, RDs are preparing for the
possibility of two consecutive years without races.
Michelle Kempton is the race director
of Maritime Race Weekend, which takes place annually in
September. The event runs in a small fishing village 10
minutes from Halifax, with the start and finish line beside
the ocean. Maritime Race Weekend has become an international
tourism event for Nova Scotia, but Kempton is concerned
about the race’s future. She explains that their
event is a registered not-for-profit (as many races in
Canada are) and that they don’t have a rainy-day
fund to draw upon. “Because we’re a not-for-profit,
we don’t carry over money, so at the end of our
year, we donate everything. When COVID hit, we’re
not in a situation where we have a huge nest-egg to draw
from.”
Kempton explains that beyond paying their
own bills, Maritime Race Weekend also donates to local
run groups to help them with funding. “We help clubs
in Nova Scotia by funding things like facility rentals
and insurance fees. We had no race this year, so we couldn’t
make a donation to them. Usually, we give them thousands
of dollars, so it’s not like they don’t miss
that cash.”
Kempton also explains that MRW has bills
regardless of whether they put the race on, like website
maintenance and equipment storage. “Now we’re
not even sure we’ll be able to run our 2021 event,
and we have bills to pay either way. We now need the help
of the running community to keep the lights on.”
How runners can help
Maritime Race Weekend has launched several efforts to
raise funds for themselves and their running community,
including a summer camp with training plans and coaches,
a summertime virtual race and the upcoming New Year’s
Day Reboot Run. “For the Reboot Run, we’re
charging money, but participants will be mailed race kits.”
On top of the Reboot Run, MRW is doing
a 50/50 fundraiser, which is only open to Nova Scotians.
Race directors hope to be back in full
force as soon as possible, but for now, if runners are
looking to help keep their favourite event afloat they
can do so by racing virtually, buying merch and participating
in fundraisers.
SudburyRocks!!!
Marathon Update
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As of this date
the run organizers hope to be able to have
a feet on the ground run in place for May
30, 2021. While we hope to be able to do that
the reality is PROBABLY we will have
a second virtual event.
We already have approximately 700 participants
who supported us in 2020 who are automatically
signed up for the 2021 event. We hope to be
able to sign up many more as the day approaches.
Keep tuned to this site and the SudburyRocks!!!
Marathon facebook page for updates as we go
forward.
We do know this:
Every 2021 registrant will receive an official
t- shirt and finishers medal whether the event
is feet on the ground or virtual.
Keep the faith
and keep on training.
Vince
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