I am VERY excited because it’s the 50th anniversary of the Calgary Marathon. In fact it’s the first marathon in western Canada and the longest running marathon in Canada. History was made on (I’m assuming) a very hot day in August 1963. Thank goodness the race is no longer held in the middle of the summer.
You will remember the Calgary marathon was my second marathon and my first on Canadian soil. I am looking for redemption. Quite a few people from my city are running either the marathon or the half-marathon (including @RedDeerFoodie). Everyone wants to be apart of this groovy, golden anniversary race weekend. I can’t wait to rock this course.
Runners are invited to dress up in vintage clothing from either the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s. Not sure I can run 42 km in platform heels (yes I am leaning toward the disco era). It’s going to be a blast! The runner with the best costume from each of the 5 decades will win a grand prize to run a marathon anywhere in Canada! I have some serious work to do over the next six months if I want to take home the crown!!
And if that wasn’t cool enough … for one time only a 50K distance was added to the race weekend. Runners must meet certain criteria and there’s a cap on numbers. I gave this some serious thought. In the end I thought this weekend is celebrating the marathon. I wanted to be a part of that history. (My next 50K will be in Lethbridge.)
I almost signed straight away for the 50K when I heard Dean Karnazes was leading the charge. How cool is that? Dean is the keynote speaker for the weekend. His name will means something to you if you’re in the know about trail running or ultra marathons.
We’re friends on Facebook (okay I like is page) and I’ve read several of his books! I hope I get a chance to say hello!
I always get a little rush when I sign up for a marathon or a race. Sometimes it’s just the little push I need to keep running in these cold and dark winter months. Ever get that feeling?
I haven’t sorted my 2014 race calendar out entirely. With Calgary in my sights and Lethbridge on my mind, I have some wiggle room. I would love to run the 5 Peaks Trail Running Series but it’s always a challenge with work.
I love thinking about new races to sign up for! I have two marathons on my schedule for 2014 and maybe a third and fourth… still debating 🙂
That's great that you are heading back to tackle the same marathon!! I have one full marathon planned for April 2014 and I hope to add a few smaller races in as well, with at least one of them being a race I have already done before. Good luck with your training!