CHESTERMERE – The annual LOOP Around the Lake held in Chestermere has a new component to the run this year; and here’s why. A local girl by the name of Hannah Papke took part in the 5 km. run last year and realized that although the race was fulfilling, there was little chance of winning any of the categories in the race. She was up against many people who had much more experience running these types of races. Not discouraged however, she later entered a contest and won for her suggestion of adding a Youth Component to the existing race. The contest for 12 to 17 year olds was the Dave Mikkelsen award. With the award she was also supplied with a budget of $1000 to encourage the Chestermere youth to get involved, run in the race and have a great deal of fun at the same time.
The Loop Around the Lake Run is held in September every year and the entry fee collected from the participants raises money for the Chestermere Public Library. Hannah has discovered, it takes a lot of hard work and thought to put on an event such as this. The 12 year old is using the money to develop a youth running clinic and a youth category in the race. You may have seen the posters in the paper and throughout the town about the FREE Youth Running Clinic. Every youth registered will receive a complimentary athletic bag chosen by Hannah herself loaded with goodies that kids will enjoy.
Her mother Sarah said, “it’s been amazing to watch her thought process from budgeting the money to the design and colours of the athletic bags and shopping for all of the other treats; it’s been a real life learning experience for her”. Hannah contacted Bernard Maillet, the Event Organizer, to see if he would be interested in holding a clinic to teach the participants about training techniques and nutritional advice in preparation to the run, and without hesitation, Bernard agreed to the suggestion. Bernard is a 25 time Iron Man contestant so he knows a thing or two about running and nutrition. Hannah is taking registration for the FREE running clinic right now, and once again, all proceeds will go to the Chestermere Public Library. The FREE youth running clinics (12 to 17 year olds) are on Wednesday’s at 7:00 PM (August 29th, September 5th and 12th) at Anniversary Park in Chestermere. To register call 403-862-4225 or email : sarah_kevin.p@shaw.ca
Now a little about the race itself from the Loop Around The Lake Run website: The 4th Annual Loop Around Chestermere Lake will take place on Sunday September 16th 2012. This year a 1/2 Marathon Distance (21K) (8:00 am start) will be held in addition to the original 11.2 km and 5km runs (8:30 start). A children’s 1km run will again be part of the 2012 Loop Around the Lake, starting at 10:00 AM. This event will also coincide with the annual Chestermere Fall Fair.
A registration fee of $50.00 will help support the cost of putting on this event. Finishers t-shirts, with a customized logo, will be included in the cost of entry. 100% of any profits will be awarded to the Chestermere Public Library.
With long term goals of raising over $100,000 for the Library over the next ten years, this is hoped to be a successful, annual event. As to date we have raised $18,930 dollars, with the help from the Provincial Government and local establishments.
