August is a relatively quiet time for running in Calgary. There's a post-Calgary Marathon hangover, which is followed by some excitement about the end-of-summer and fall races. Melissa's, Moose Mountain, The Dino Dash, the Victoria Marathon. Fall is a nice time to run.
This weekend the high school track kids have their last meet of the season in Medicine Hat during the Alberta Summer Games. And there might be a few local masters track athletes going to Spokane this weekend for the USATF Masters Championships. The U of C Dinos are building up their endurance for the cross country season which starts in September and culminates in CIS Cross-Country Championship November 8 in Quebec City.
Race Cancellations
The Cross Calgary Relay and Ultramarathon was scheduled for August 16th, but it has been cancelled due to low registration. According to the website the organizers will be reworking the date and format for next year.
The Banff Ekiden relay has also been cancelled this year. From what I can tell this was an event put on by the Banff Centre and in the past couple years they've hired Magma Event Marketing to run the race, but this year it is canceled entirely. No idea about the future of the race.
The Canmore Challenge was scheduled for June, pushed back to September and now it is cancelled for this year. Hopefully it and the Ekiden will be back next year. Putting on a race takes a lot of time, dedication, money and volunteers to make it happen, so hopefully the absence of these races will cause some kind of outpouring of support for them next year.
Rock the House Run, Aug 17
If you have kids and those kids like dogs and you think you and your kids can run 5k (or 10k), this is the race for your family. The race starts and ends at Ronald McDonald House by the Children's Hospital, has live music, and after the races are done there was a SuperDogs show! More than any other race I've been to it had a festival atmosphere.
The Robert Hamilton Memorial Road Race, August 24
If not the oldest race in Calgary, this 5 Mile and 10 Mile event is one of the more competitive. Expect around 150 people to be at the early 8am starting line and the leaders to include some of the fastest people in Calgary who are looking for a good late-summer workout. This race also skews to the masters, so if you've been running for 20 or 30 years you'll feel right at home. Beginners are welcomed as well. The cost is low and the race perks are few. They also distribute running socks instead of t-shirts.
The Sheep River Road Race, Sept 1
Another long-standing race, this time in Okotoks, running along the pathway system by the river. The 10k route has a prettier out and back course along the river than the 5k route, which is more of a jaunt through the suburbs. The post-race awards and refreshments are in the school gym and lots of kids show up for this one so it has a good family atmosphere.
Moose Mountain, Sept 6
16k of hills and mud, or 29k of dirt roads, goat trails, steep climbs and the most incredible mid-race view of any race in the Calgary area. Around 100 people head out to Bragg Creek for a long run up a mountain and back. This is definitely an accomplishment.
Dino Dash, Sept 7
5k or 10k on a nice flat course on wide open roads. The race is chip-timed and finishes on the Foothills track with an announcer calling out your name. If there is any race that is setting you up for a personal best, this is it.
Canmore Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, Sept 7
A beautiful and hilly half marathon run through Canmore pathways and roadways. It's not an easy run, but the setting is amazing.
CSPG 10k, Sept 10
An evening 10k in the heart of the city. About 150 people will show up, including a bunch running the 10k in under 40 minutes. They have a 75 minute cut-off time and a post-race pizza party ...
Lost Soul Ultra, Sept 12
50k, 100k, or 160k! Part of the Alberta Ultra Series, and expecting more runners this year than usual.
Five Peaks, Canmore, Sept 13
The Five Peaks is a great trail running series, and this one will be awesome. This includes a 21k course, which will be hilly and really tough compared to a flat half marathon.
Bow River Run, Sept 14
Start and finish in Bowness Park, 5 and 10k, a little hilly, but it could be worse. The 10k is 2 loops. Nice environment to run in, close to the river.
Terry Fox Run, Sept 14
If the course hasn't changed it's not a great run so much as it's an awesome cause. The race is very open to participation, so expect dogs and kids on scooters and rollerbladers and baby chariots to clog the pathways for an hour. Don't expect a personal best 10k, just go to support a great event.
Melissa's, Sept 27
A classic race that is always sold out, and this year is no exception. 10k and 21k routes. This is the year I find out for myself what all the hype is about.
Harvest Half Marathon, Sept 27
A nice fall half marathon that has a few hilly roads and lots of lovely Fish Creek paths. Hundreds of people who aren't going to Banff will be running this one because the next half marathon isn't until November.
River Park Classic XC, Oct 5
The return of a classic cross country trail race that features two crossings of the Elbow River. You won't need a life jacket, but expect to get wet to the knees (or higher) a couple times.
Royal Victoria Marathon, Oct 12
The course, the volunteers, the organization ... this is considered one of the best races in western Canada.
Okanagan Marathon, Oct 12
If you are unable to get to Victoria ...
I'm sure I missed some, so let me know if I have. In this list there should be one of your favourites, or a new favourite. If there's a weekend with two races, run the Saturday one easy and go for the social atmosphere and run the Sunday one hard. Or run the Saturday one competitively and the Sunday one as a recovery run.
If you've never run any of these races, then volunteer for one and see what it's all about.
