Wine is known to have anti-aging properties, so it’s fitting that a bottle of vino will be the grand prize for an event thought to be only one of its kind in Canada.
The Forever Young 8K Run at Garry Point Park next month is most definitely the first B.C. Athletics sanctioned seniors’ running event in the province.
The new event — to highlight and celebrate healthy living of those aged 55 and up — is being organized by the Richmond based Forever Young Club, a Monday and Wednesday morning running and walking club.
“I haven’t found any others in Canada,” said lead organizer John Young, who searched online and asked his connections in the running community.
“When I spoke to B.C. Athletics, they said they didn’t know of any others. There are so many races out there; 8K, 10K, and none of them are geared specifically to the older set.
“We figured older people should get credit for keeping in shape, staying fit and trying to be healthy. Not all old people are couch potatoes and overweight.”
The Forever Young Club, also known as the Forever Young Gang, started seven years ago by Young, his wife Joan, and their friend, prolific marathon runner and record-holder Gwen McFarlan.
The trio ran together in the evenings and once the last of them retired, they changed their running schedule to Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Through word of mouth, others joined them and now they boast a membership of almost 150 people, with almost 70 of them being regulars, the youngest being 20 years old.
Unfortunately, the club is not expanding its membership.
“We are as big as we want to be,” McFarlan said.
“We sometimes meet at a coffee shop, someone’s home and if we get much bigger, it will be too difficult to manage.”
“We sometimes meet at the A&W or McDonald’s and I always warn them ahead of time that we are coming,” Young added. “There is sometimes 25 to 30 of us and the social part of it, after the running, is what a lot of people look forward to.”
The age group for racers in the Forever Young 8K starts at 55 and goes up in five-year increments to 100-plus. First-place runners in each category will receive a bottle of B.C. wine and those placing second and third will receive a certificate, honouring their achievement.
The event runs Sunday, Sept. 13, with a 9 a.m. start. Registration is $35 until Aug. 15 and $40 until Sept. 9. The fee includes a chip timer, T-shirt, finisher’s medal, snacks, beverages, and entry to win a draw prize. Registration is free for those 90 years and up, and the event will be capped at 250 participants. Proceeds from the not-for-profit event will benefit the Arthritis Society.
To register, visit www.foreveryoung8k.ca.
