At 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning, throngs of people of all ages weaved their way through city streets, some keeping time with radio bops playing through the speakers at the Stampede Grounds and others at a stroll with friends. Read More
Approximately 17,300 runners are slated to show up for the races Saturday and Sunday, which is 23 per cent more than registrations recorded last year.
Approximately 17,300 runners are slated to show up for the races Saturday and Sunday, which is 23 per cent more than registrations recorded last year.
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At 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning, throngs of people of all ages weaved their way through city streets, some keeping time with radio bops playing through the speakers at the Stampede Grounds and others at a stroll with friends.
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This weekend marks the 61st Servus Calgary Marathon, and organizers say it might be the most popular one yet.
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Approximately 17,300 runners are slated to show up for the races Saturday and Sunday, which is 23 per cent more than registrations recorded last year, according to Kristen Fleming, executive director for the Calgary Marathon.
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“The vibes are very high. People are excited,” she said of this morning’s races. “It’s great to see so many smiles.”
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Saturday morning saw runners participate in a 10-kilometre and a 5-kilometre race, with a 1.2-kilometre dash for kids aged 12 and under.
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Crowds of runners thronged at the starting line for the 10-km race, sharp at 7:30 a.m., with many jumping up and down to warm up the muscles and others eagerly waving at their friends and families cheering on the sidelines.
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Carolyn Stopa said this was her first race in Calgary. “I’ve been training for three months and I’m very very excited,” she said, grinning widely.
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The idea to participate in the race came out of a New Year’s resolution with her friend and husband. “My husband woke up at 3:40 a.m. today,” she said, with a chuckle. “He woke up before the dog.”
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Training for the run has been intense, she said. “I have a coach back in Brazil who has been assisting me with all the training and the workouts. I run four times a week.”
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Once the run is over, she plans to celebrate by visiting a bakery. “Get some carbs,” she said.
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Not everyone has opted to train for the race beforehand. Arkan Khimis said he was convinced to try it out thanks to his girlfriend Julia Katrid, who is experienced in long-distance running.
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“I’ve been trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and I think this might be a good way to do that,” Khamis said, adding that he is “not a runner.”
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His goals are lofty — “I want to finish and I want to run consistently,” he said, and perhaps even moreso after he confessed he hasn’t actually trained for the race.
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“I told Julia that if this were a test, I opened the textbook and went ‘Nope’,” he said, to which Katrid laughed.
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“I think he’s underestimating himself, I believe he’s going to do better than he thinks he would,” she said.
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Katrid, on the other hand, is fairly confident of her own abilities. “I did consistently run once or twice a week, although I never pushed beyond 10 kilometres,” she said. “I’m sure it’ll be fun, it’s such a gorgeous day today.”