Okanagan College Media Release

Registration is now open for the first major Okanagan road race of 2009 – the Campus to Campus Half Marathon and Bookworm Relay Race, which will take place on March 29 at 8 a.m.

The race, now in its seventh year of operation, is a joint initiative between Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan and covers 21.1 kms from UBC Okanagan’s campus. The course, which has a net drop in elevation, travels through Glenmore, down Knox Mountain, through City Park, along Lakeshore and finishes at the KLO campus of Okanagan College.

For the first time in the race’s history prize money will be offered to the top three finishers in the male and female division. On each side, first place will receive $250, second place will take $150 and the third place finisher will receive $100.

Prizes will also be offered to winners of the relay portion of the race. To enter the relay race, teams of five can sign up with four runners covering 4 kms each and the final runner completing approximately 5.2 kms. The relay participants follow the same course as the Half Marathon runners. 

“With each passing year the Campus to Campus race has become bigger and better,” said Jane Muskens, race director for the event. “We typically draw many of our region’s elite runners because it’s a great course and is the first opportunity of the year for runners to hit the pavement and race. We are hoping to draw more relay teams this year and are promoting corporate challenges among some of our community’s organizations who are committed to health, wellness and the spirit of competition.”

Sun Life Financial will enter approximately 10 employees in the race and is encouraging other organizations to do the same.

“With two months left until the race we are encouraging other local businesses to commit to participating in either the Half Marathon or Relay portions of the race,” said Brian Lyall, Sales Manager for Sun Life Financial. “As an organization we are placing a great deal of importance on health and wellness as well as community involvement.”

Any non-runners wishing to be involved with the race can lend their time as race volunteers or course marshals, explained Muskens.

“There’s no experience necessary, just some common sense and a desire to help out. Course marshals do not direct traffic but instead, momentarily stop cars to allow racers to pass.”

The early bird entry fee for the Half Marathon is $40 until Feb. 28. The cost from March 1 – 13 is $45 and the late entry fee from March 14 – 29 is $60. Students receive a $5 discount. Relay team entries are $125 ($25 per person). All proceeds from the race are donated to Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan’s campus recreation programs. All runners receive a finisher medal as well as a race t-shirt.

Volunteers will receive a race crew t-shirt. To volunteer, contact Karma Lacoff at 250-762-5445 ext. 4657. To register for the Half Marathon or Relay Race go online to: www.okanagan.bc.ca/halfmarathon.