Friday, March 29, 2024
Westwood Lake, Nanaimo BC
Point-to-Point Trail Race and 6km Family Cookie Run/Walk

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Fletcher's Challenge 2013 - Thank You Note


Thank You Note:

It has been one week since the 2013 Fletcher's Challenge and there are so many stories that have been told about the fun times that were had; the element of family, friendship, community, competition and athleticism.  

2013 marks the sixth annual Fletcher's Challenge and the event continues to grow year after year. This year, we saw approximately 400 participants for the family run/walk and 193 trail racers, a 75% increase in the trail race. These numbers are outstanding!!!

Not only have we grown by leaps and bounds in the participants but we have also increased with the support of our corporate sponsorship, which is in the form of cash sponsors, in kind donations such as the food, coffee and door prizes. A copy of the thank you ad is attached listing all of the corporate sponsors.

As the Fletcher's Challenge has increased year over year, so has the number of volunteers needed to make the event as successful as it is. I would like to thank all of the course markers, course marshals, cookie walk marshals, registration volunteers, timing volunteers, parking volunteers, first aid volunteers, water station volunteers, cookie table volunteers and the many others who helped make the 2013 Fletcher’s Challenge such a success.  

There are a few people that I would like to extend special gratitude to: Dan Brady, Normon Thibault, Jeremy Clegg, Cathy Webster (Nanaimo Daily News) and Charles Burrell. I am lucky to be in your presence and get to work with an amazing team that inspires me.

In addition to being a great event that has become a Good Friday ritual, it is also the ability to be able to get kids access to sports where it isn't possible in their households. Fletcher's Challenge raised in excess of $12,000 in net funds raised which will help a lot of kids get access to sports, a number that is over double of 2011.

There are already plans for the new route for 2014 so please mark your calendars for Good Friday 2014.

See you all running in the trails.

Cheers,

Greg Scott
Race Director


Fletcher's Challenge Celebration

2013 marks the best Fletcher's Challenge yet with record numbers for both the trail race and the family run/walk.  

Here's a snapshot of the day.

Click on the links below to view more information.

Nanaimo Daily News has continued to be a supporter of Fletcher's Challenge since the races' inception in 2007.  A warm applause to Cathy Webster and the Daily News Team!!!! We've attached the Nanaimo Daily News Article for you to check out.

Mark Nelson from Race Day Timing Services did a fabulous job with our race results.  Here are the Race Results.  Way to go, everyone!!! You rocked this race!!!

One of Runners of Compassions' very own captured the essence of this event with a bunch of fantastic photos.  Check them out here.

BC Race Review also captured amazing shots of the runners in action out on the trails!!! Check them out here.

Thank you to everyone for such an amazing event!!!! 

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Event Updates - 1 Day To Go!


THANK YOU for your overwhelming support!

Fletcher's Challenge 2013 is shaping up to be our biggest event yet! We have a record number of registrations for both the trail race and the cookie walk! We have now added a FIFTH bus for shuttling runners to the TOP SECRET start location (we only needed three last year)! We also have more families than ever signed up.

THE GOLDEN RULE – If you have a great time tomorrow - TELL YOUR FRIENDS for next year! If you find something that can be improved - TELL US! Above all else, HAVE FUN!

We don't have the exact figures yet, but it is safe to say that we will GREATLY surpass the $6,000 we raised last year that will be used to assist young people to overcome financial barriers so that they can participate in sport activities. THANK YOU. 

There will be plenty of same day registration for the cookie walk, but come early. There will be LIMITED same day registration for the trail race, and bus space is limited. 

REGISTRATION & BIB PICKUP: 8:30AM-9:30AM

BUSES LEAVE AT 9:30AM SHARP! for ALL Trail Racers

TRAIL RACE & COOKIE WALK: Start Time is 10:00AM

INFO FOR EVERYONE:

·         We expect to have 300-500 people up at Westwood Lake so parking will be a challenge. For Nanaimo locals, please car pool if at all possible! COME EARLY!

INFO FOR TRAIL RUNNERS:
  • ·         Course length is 13-14km with +300m/-200m elevation change
  • ·         Water is available at the 8km mark
  • ·         You may want to bring water with you depending on preference. If so, fill your water at Westwood Lake BEFORE you get on the bus 
  • ·         There will be NO water and NO washrooms at the start line. Please use the facilities at Westwood Lake BEFORE boarding the bus at 9:30
  • ·         The buses will leave at 9:25 and 9:30 DO NOT MISS THEM!
  • ·         There will be hampers available at the start line to leave any clothing etc that you do not want to race with. These items will be brought back to the finish line at Westwood Lake. NO VALUABLES! We will not be responsible for lost or stolen items!
  • ·         DO NOT leave anything on the bus!
  • ·         Cutoff at the 8k water station will be 1:10 (approx 9 mins/km). Runners missing this cutoff will be shuttled to the finish line. This km pace equates with our slowest finishers last year, so we hope that everyone will make the cutoff :) 


Thanks again, and see you out there tomorrow!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Fletcher's Challenge 2013

Welcome to Fletcher's Challenge 2013

We are excited to announce that the Trail Race will once again be point to point.  Last year, we had a record number of participants in both the trail race and the family run/walk.  Over 110 trail runners and 300 participants in the Family run/walk around beautiful Westwood Lake!!! Let's see if we can top last year's numbers.  


Please join us in making the Fletcher's Challenge event for 2013 the biggest and most fun ever. There is fun to be had for people of all ages.

13km Trail Race - We have an excellent 13km trail run for those who enjoy a real challenge. This will be a point to point race, and will feature some of Nanaimo's best trails. This will be a timed event, and guaranteed fun. 

6km Family Cookie Run/Walk - Gather up the kids, and come on out for the ever popular cookie walk! This event is a blast for those of all ages. Entrants enjoy a single lap around Westwood Lake, and are treated to cookie stations along the way for some extra motivation. The main goal is to have fun, but this event will have timing available for those who want to see how fast they can lap the lake. 

Easter Egg Hunt - If the thrill of running around the lake and eating cookies is not enough to motivate your kids to participate, then how about the lure of the post-run easter egg hunt!?

There will be some excellent door prizes available from our sponsors, as well as awards for the top finishers in their age groups. 


This running event memorializes Mr. Gavin Fletcher who died at too young an age. He was a well known sports columnist, a member of ROC, a husband and father. 

His family values were paramount but his love of good fun competition in sports was unequalled. It is with this intent that we fashion The Fletcher's Challenge, held each year on Good Friday open to both runners and walkers. 

It is about participation, having fun and enjoying some physical activity with your family. A big draw is the cookie run for kids around Westwood Lake. However; cookies are not the exclusive domain of the kids, as all runners and walkers are treated to some pretty good home-baked treats after their run/walk!