Chilliwack – If you are a runner in Chilliwack it’s almost certain that you have graced the shores of the Vedder River at some point along the way. Things are about to get a whole lot more exciting for runners on the Vedder Rotary Trail! The long awaited Vedder Rotary Loop Trail is now a fully complete loop. Not only is it a loop, but it is a 21.5km loop. Almost a perfect half marathon distance. This weekend, in conjunction with the official Grand Opening of the Loop Trail on Saturday, we will also see the inaugural Loop the Vedder Half Marathon and 10km race.
On Sunday morning, 330 registered participants, comprising of 170 runners in the 10km event and 160 in the half marathon, will take on the challenge of the newly completed trail. The half marathon starts at the Rotary trailhead at Vedder Bridge. Following the north side of the river, both half and 10km runners will run West towards the Keith Wilson bridge. The 10km runners will cross over to the north dyke for a short period before ducking back into Peach Creek Trails and back to the finish line on the main trail. The half marathoners will run the distance of the north trail out to the dyke, across Keith Wilson bridge and then come back on the south dyke to Wilson Road where the trail cuts back along the river and continues until you pop out at the top of Crossing Park at Vedder Bridge.
This event has been two+ years in the making, not quite the 25 years in the development and construction of the trail itself, but not a small feat nonetheless. This is a locally organized event within the community and for the community. All supplies and equipment, from the water at the aid stations to the medals at the finish line have been sourced and provided locally. Approximately 60 volunteers will be on hand on race morning to ensure everything runs smoothly for the participants. Partial proceeds from the race will go to support the Chilliwack Park Society and their initiatives in engaging youth with the trails.
Registration is open until midnight on Friday November 15. More information on the event can be found at www.peaksnvalleys.ca\loopthevedder.
