A big round of applause to everyone who participated in this year’s Fletcher's Challenge. The numbers were staggering this year with 656 individuals participating in the Family Run/Walk and 218 runners in the trail race. The wet weather certainly did not dampen the enthusiasm.
The family walk/run was overflowing with runners and walkers of all ages who enjoyed 800 cookies on the backside of the lake. There was a nice surprise of stickers for the young ones just before the finish line.
The point-to-point trail race was once again a major hit with runners this year. The mystery bus ride to Colliery Dam was all part of the experience, as was the massive puddle where many smiling and shocked faces were captured by photographer Neil Gaudet.
Congratulations to Dan, Norm and Jeremy for an amazing course showcasing Nanaimo’s single track trails. We had racers from all over the island and Nanaimo represented on Friday. Congratulations all!!!
Race results can be found by clicking here.
The Frontrunners gang and Tami did an amazing job with the Easter Egg Hunt. Kids of all ages were grinning from ear to ear in anticipation of the big haul.
We would like to thank the Runners of Compassion members and others in the community who made in excess of 2,000 cookies for the event for everyone to enjoy. No food was wasted as all the leftover food was delivered to Loaves and Fishes and The Salvation Army.
This event doesn't happen overnight so to the over 75 volunteers who make it happen on race day, another big thanks. These individuals take time out of their long weekend to support Fletcher’s Challenge.
Since the first Fletcher's Challenge back in 2007, we are grateful for the generosity of many corporate sponsors who come back each year so kudos to them. Without them, our event wouldn’t be the success it is today. You can check out who they are on our site and while making your consumer decisions remember who they are and give them your support as well.
A special recognition needs to go out to Dan Brady, Normon Thibault, Cathy Webster, Jeremy Clegg, Charles Burrell, Jeannette Whiskin, Tami Beales and Jason Blanchette who have worked tirelessly to make this event such a success. This is really the dream team and I feel lucky to get to work with them.
The funds raised from this event, which will be approximately $15,000, will be donated back into the community through Runners of Compassion - Nanaimo Chapter and will assist underprivileged youth getting access to sports.
We are excited to be able to offer everyone who participated in Fletcher’s Challenge 2015 a 10% discount to “The Trails In Motion Film Festival” taking place right here in Nanaimo on Monday, April 20th, 2015. Click here for more details about the event and if you are purchasing tickets the discount code is FC2015. Our very own Jeremy Clegg will be the guest speaker at the event.
We encourage any feedback you as a participant have about the event. We want this to be a quality event we can build on each year so please email me your thoughts at gscott73@shaw.ca
Please mark your calendar for Good Friday 2016 for the 9th Annual Fletcher’s Challenge!
Cheers,
Greg Scott
Race Director
Monday, April 6, 2015
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Fletcher's Challenge 2015 - Important Race Information
THANK YOU for your overwhelming support!
Fletcher’s Challenge 2015 is shaping up to be another stellar event and our biggest event yet!
We have a record number of registrations for both the trail race and the cookie walk! The energy is overwhelming! We have five buses for shuttling trail runners to the TOP SECRET start location!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!
Since 2003 Runners of Compassion – Nanaimo Chapter has donated in excess of $150,000. The funds raised from this event will be used to assist young people overcome financial barriers so that they can participate in sport activities. THANK YOU!!!
WHEN & WHERE: Friday, April 3rd, 2015 at Westwood Lake
REGISTRATION & BIB PICKUP: 8:30-9:30AM
BUSSES LEAVE AT 9:30AM SHARP for all Trail Racers
TRAIL RACE & COOKIE WALK: Start Time is 10:00AM
INFO FOR EVERYONE:
We are expecting approximately 700 people at this event, so parking may be a challenge. For Nanaimo residents, please car pool if at all possible! COME EARLY!
INFO FOR TRAIL RUNNERS:
Our trails are a precious and valuable commodity for Nanaimo. Taking 200+ over them has impact. Let’s keep it to a minimum. NO COURSE CUTTING, Switchback cutting, corner cutting or braiding of the set and marked route. Follow the main trail as marked. Do not go into the scrub, vegetation for your gain and the courses loss. If you cut the course, go through vegetation, take a braid, cut a switchback, or go off the marked course for your gain you will be disqualified from this event. We take this seriously.
SAFETY:
The rule for trail racing is IF you come across someone that is injured or in distress. The first person on the scene stays with the injured person. The second person goes forward or backwards on the course to contact a course marshal and look for help. The next 2-3 people should check and make sure everything is OK and if there is any more help needed before proceeding. We all take care of each other. This event and no event is worth not taking care of a fellow athlete.
Course length is 14-15km.
COURSE PROFILE:
If last year’s course was a saw blade now think instead of a pyramid. Be prepared for the second half of the course. Don’t give everything in the first half.
Water refill & gels are available at approximately the 7km mark.All Runners are advised to carry your own water. Fill your water at Westwood Lake BEFORE you get on the bus.
There will be LIMITED water and LIMITED “facilities” at the start line. Please use the facilities at Westwood Lake before boarding the bus at 9:30am or use the washrooms on the bus. The busses 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 at the start line. 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 7km water station will be 70 minutes (approx. 10 mins/km). Runners missing this cutoff will be shuttled to the finish line. This pace coincides with finishing times for some of the slower runners over the last couple of years.
RACE RESULTS:
Race results will be available immediately after the race. Click here for race results:
http://racedaytiming.ca/
Thank you again and see you on Good Friday.
Greg Scott
Race Director
Monday, February 9, 2015
Fletcher's Challenge 2015
Welcome to Fletcher's Challenge 2015
It is hard to believe that this will be the 8th Annual Fletcher's Challenge. We are excited to announce that the Trail Race will once again be point to point. The race continues to grow by leaps and bounds with over 184 trail runners and 541 participants in the Family run/walk around beautiful Westwood Lake!!! Let's see if we can top last year's numbers yet again.
Please join us in making the Fletcher's Challenge event for 2015 the biggest and most fun ever. There is fun to be had for people of all ages.
Trail Race - We have an excellent trail run for those who enjoy a real challenge. This will be a point to point race which will be approximately 15km, and will feature some of Nanaimo's best trails. This will be a timed event, and guaranteed fun. The distance will be confirmed closer to the race. As this point to point trail race has become so popular, we are going to cap the race at 235 racers so make sure you register early as you don't want to miss a seat on the bus and miss the race. Lets try and fill all five busses this year.
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 station along the way for some extra motivation. The main goal is to have fun, but this event will have a clock 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
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