Sudbury's Thanksgiving trail race returns
The gloomy weather didn’t stop people from taking part in the 2021 Turkey Gobbler Trail Run in Sudbury on Sunday.
The event saw 225 participants hit the trails in 8-, 3.5- and 1-kilometre races. Due to current physical distancing guidelines, the event had to be separated into waves. While event organizers said it’s not the big race people are used to -- despite most people being double vaccinated and the loosening of restrictions -- it’s at least a much different feel than the 2020 event.
"Last year, we had five wave starts and then we sent people off one minute at a time. This year, to get a little bit closer to that race feeling, I mean in that scenario some people are just out there for an hour and 15 minutes and never see another human being, so what we’ve done is we’re doing mass starts within the waves. So the waves are 35-50 people and we’re sending them all out together," said Neil Phipps, the event organizer.
Many races like this have moved to virtual events over the last 18 months, however, Phipps said because of its size and being outside, the event can be done safely.
"We’re a little lucky because we’re so small. It’s easier for us to do that. The big ones, the Boston Marathons, the thousands of people, those are not manageable at this point, but our little event, they’re all outdoors, are all heavily spaced out and our numbers are relatively small so we’re able to manage it and give people that experience that has been missing for a couple years," he said.
All of the proceeds from the event go to support the junior Nordic racing team based at the Walden Cross Country club. Phipps said the event will likely raise between $2,500 to $3,000, which will go to support travel, equipment, and coaching costs.
Some people told CTV News they participated to challenge themselves physically, while others wanted to support the cause.
"I’d say it’s very important to build up that community, especially I think that cross country skiing has, over the pandemic, has seen a dramatic increase. So I’m always happy to come out to these events and promote the sport," said Augustin Marks De Chabris, a race participant.
"I used to be a part of the Walden Nordic Ski Club and this is a fundraiser for the Nordic ski club. And the rest of my family was doing it so it’s kind of like a family tradition for us to come out and do this event every year," said Emily Marcolini, an 8-kilometre race participant.
The event has been running for over 10 years at the Walden Cross Country club. Organizers said they are happy with this year's event and hope restrictions ease even more for next year's event so they can welcome even more participants.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.