Floodwaters washed away the inaugural run. Bears forced a major course change in year two. Year three, though, Banff Marathon organizers believe will be a charm.
The sold-out marathon will run through Banff and down Highway 1A on Sunday (June 21) as the only race of its kind in a Canadian national park. Attracting 1,500 runners, Banff Marathon is billing itself as the greenest marathon in North America.
“It’s going to be standard in the future. We might be on the leading edge, but you’ll see all races following suit,” said race director Stephanie O’Brien. “We’re making sure we protect and look after our environment we live in every day.”
The race will use green power and greenhouse gas offsets, measure air quality and aim for a zero waste event. Banff schools will supply an environmental education component to the event, and event bags will be completely virtual, eliminating paper race guides. O’Brien said these initiatives make environmental and economic sense for the race
“All of these initiatives are internally driven,” O’Brien said. “It’s spun off the Alberta Winter Games, so it was a natural to include in this event.”
A kid’s race will also be held on June 20 in Central park.
Furthering the educational component, the race is partnering with Banff Park Museum to provide free entries to the community on race day.
“Anyone can go to the museum for free on race day,” O’Brien said.
According to race organizers, the race will close Bow Avenue and Buffalo street from Bear Street to Wolf street on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., although Bow Ave. (Wolf to Caribou streets) will reopen at 10:30 a.m.
Bow Valley Parkway will also be closed to Johnston Canyon, as will Vermilion Lakes Road, the Legacy trail from Lynx Street to Bow Valley Parkway and Bow River Trail from Lynx to Muskrat streets. There will also be single vehicle traffic on Mount Norquay road between Vermilion Lakes Road and Lynx Street.
The event is still looking for about 40 course marshals for the event, and expects to use 200 volunteers. Course marshals will be paid a small stipend for their commitment to the race.
For more details, visit www.banffmarathon.com online.
