Runners are gearing up for the annual Athletic Alley Iron Horse Mini, a 42 kilometre trek that several from the region are tackling either as part of a team or as a soloist, to take place on May 27.
The event acts as a precursor to the longer Iron Horse Ultra in October, which features 100 km and 100 mile routes.
“We had decided there was a need for an introduction to the Ultra, people who wanted to try, but were intimated by a 19 km run,” said organizer Monique Poulin, on why they decided to start the lower-key running event a few years ago.
While the Ultra draws in people from close to home to far flung locales, most of the runners taking part in the Mini are from the Lakeland, with around 50 runners so far set to take on the race either as individuals or teams, Poulin said.
The race begins at Ecole du Sommet, loops around St. Paul’s walking/running/biking trail, and then follows the Iron Horse trail to Elk Point. For teams, each will take on five legs ranging in length from six to 11.5 kilometres.
Poulin’s 10-year-old son Kurt was keen to join the run as well, but runners must be 12 to take part on their own. However, since he and his friends expressed an interest in running to raise funds for the St. Paul Animal Shelter, Poulin says that organizers decided to allow the kids to take part in running each of the legs, as long as they were accompanied by an adult. As of last week, seven kids ranging in age from nine to 13 were signed up to run and raise funds as a team.
At last year’s mini, runners slogged their way through pouring rain, and Poulin notes that one never knows what to expect for weather conditions.
“It’s a wild card, and that’s part of these kind of runs,” she said, adding, however, that runners and organizers are crossing their fingers it’s not quite the same downpour this year. “We’re hoping it’s a little dryer.”
People can still sign up to run up the Athletic Alley Iron Horse Mini until May 24, by visiting the ironhorseultra.com website, or by messaging organizers through the Athletic Alley Iron Horse Mini Facebook site. Registration is $25. More volunteers are also needed for the day’s event, including to help with aid stations, and are invited to get in touch if interested.
