Fletcher’s Challenge was another great success and even Mother Nature worked in our favor this year. Westwood Lake Park was overflowing with families and trail racers. The numbers were again strong with Fletcher’s Challenge at the tail end of two-week spring break.
We had 474 participate in the family run/walk, who were nicely greeted by a cookie station on the backside of the lake. The trail race had a total of 227 registrants with 191 participants in the race.
The mystery point-to-point trail race again has received great reviews. The secrecy and speculation about the course each year is always great, and there were no leaks other than one that I know of. which was me. Michael Hartmann nicely captured some great photos of the day and the trail race, which can be found by clicking here.
Congratulations to Dan and Norm 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!!! Results can be found by clicking here.
The kids turned out in full force for the Annual East Egg Hunt with the Frontrunners Team up for the challenge. There were some pretty excited kids. This event doesn’t happen without the help of a lot of volunteers to make a trail race happen, family run/walk, and an Easter Egg Hunt run without any glitches. First of all I would to thank all of the members of Runners of Compassion who baked cookies for the event. Then, I would like to recognize Jason Blanchette who has been involved with Fletcher’s Challenge from the very beginning and who supplies the food each year. Not to worry about any of the extra food we had this year as it was all kindly donated to the Salvation Army, which they were very appreciative of.
During the day of the event, approximately 75 volunteers help with set up, registration, managing the parking lot, food, beverages, cookie station for the kids on the back side of the lake, first aid, course marking, water station for the trail racers, course marshals, course sweep, emcee and clean up. A round of applause to them.
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 at www.fletcherschallenge.blogspot.ca and while making your consumer decisions remember who they are and give them your support as well.
Each year, there are always the group of individuals who come back year after year who really go above and beyond. A huge thanks to Dan Brady, Normon Thibault, Jeremy Clegg, Charles Burrell, Jeannette Whiskin, Tami Beales, Sue Handel, and Jason Blanchette who have worked tirelessly to make this event such a success. This is outstanding group of individuals who keep Gavin Fletcher’s memory alive.
Please check out the Runners of Compassion – Nanaimo Chapter Facebook page for photos and information about how you can get involved with ROC. The funds raised from this event, which will be donated back into the community through Runners of Compassion - Nanaimo Chapter and will assist underprivileged youth getting access to sports. Since 2003, Runners of Compassion has donated in excess of $160,000.
On the day of the event and in the days leading up to it, we had a number of people give financial donations, which is greatly appreciated.
We encourage any feedback that 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
Should you have left something at Westwood Lake Park, there is a lost and found at Frontrunners Nanaimo located at #101-1825 Bowen Road.
Please mark your calendar for Good Friday 2017 for the 10th Annual Fletcher’s Challenge.
Cheers,
Greg Scott
Race Director
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