On the morning of June 22, local Ironman athlete and race organizer, Bernie Maillet is hoping to see hundreds of runners participate in the 6th Annual Loop around the Lake event in Chestermere.
Event volunteers have all been working on preparations for months now on this local fundraising initiative that includes a half-marathon, a 12km, a 5km and 1km distance run. In the past, the race was held in September but due to a busy fall season for the library board and volunteers, the decision was made to move the race date to June 22 this year.
“The summer months leading up to September are historically very busy months for our volunteers and community, so after much discussions It was decided that holding the race in June would allow us more time to dedicate to the success of the event,” said Cathy Burness, race volunteer.
Once again, the community race will be in support of the Chestermere Public Library. Maillet, who is the founder and organizer of the Loop Around of the Lake has held onto his goal of raising $100,000 in 10 years for the library. Currently, he has raised over $50,000 from the annual run. “I am still confident that I will reach that goal because of the amount of support that comes from the community,” says Maillet, who knows all about reaching goals.
In March, Maillet completed his 29th full distance Ironman race in just 12 years. As if that were not enough, he has two more planned for 2014, one in Boulder, Colorado and the other in Baltimore, Maryland. An Ironman triathlon is a long-distance race consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bicycle ride and a 26.2 mile marathon run.
“Staying physically active has made such a positive impact to my life in so many ways that I wanted to share that as a way to give back to the community, by encouraging people to be active and also by supporting the library,” Maillet says, of why he began the fundraiser six years ago.
Registration for the Loop Around the Lake can be completed on-line but the deadline to be guaranteed a t-shirt is June 14. To compete in the half-marathon the price is $50, only $30 for both the 12km and 5km, and the kids 1km is just $20. There is a family discount of $175 for those who have four people interested in participating in the half-marathon.
Registration is accepted after June 14 right up until race morning but you will not be guaranteed a racers t-shirt. The event begins and ends in the Rec Centre parking lot with a race package pick-up at 6:45am on race day. The gun goes off for the half marathoners at 8:00am, followed by the 12km and 5km racers taking off at 8:15am and the kids fun run is planned for around 10:00am the same day.
Every finisher gets a medal, as well the top male and female runner of the half marathon and 12km distance will receive a new pair of running shoes, courtesy of Gord’s Running Store and Strides Running Store in Calgary.
“I would love to see over 200 participants running or walking in the Loop around the Lake this year,” comments Maillet. “I think this community event is so important because it directly benefits the library which in turn benefits the entire community – this money raised in Chestermere stays in Chestermere.”
Organizers are still looking for volunteers to help on the day of the event, if you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the Loop around the Lake, please contact Cathy Burness at cathy@chestermerepubliclibrary.com.
If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor or to registerfor the race, visit www.looparoundthelake.ca or contact Bernie Maillet at 403-620-9757.
