Over the past 20 years, Paul Carrick’s feet have carried him all over the globe. The co-founder of CAUSE Canada has trekked into Honduras to help reforest coconut palms, and biked through dusty roads in Sierra Leone for ebola education and control. In the process, CAUSE Canada has raised $35 million for development programs in Latin America and West Africa.
But one place his feet haven’t taken him over the past 20 years is across the finish line of the CAUSE Canada Rocky Mountain Run in Canmore. That changed on Sept. 13, when Carrick finished the race he originated.
“This was quite gratifying. I’ve never actually seen it out on the streets with the athletes. I should have done this a long time ago,” said Carrick after finishing the five-kilometre distance.
His run brought a greater appreciation for the 150 race volunteers, plus RCMP and town officials who have seen the run grow from 600 participants in its first year, to 2,000 last year.
More than 1,900 runners participated in this year’s anniversary run, and their footsteps are felt around the globe. The race raised $75,000 for CAUSE Canada (Christian Aid for Under-Assisted Societies Everywhere) this year, and that money will support maternal child health care in Central America.
Carrick said a partnership with the federal government will multiply the funding by nearly sevenfold.
“Because we hope to sign a deal with the federal government … all proceeds from this year’s race are going to maternal child health care, which will be matched by the federal government. Net revenue will be matched at almost a seven to one rate for Central America,” Carrick said.
Last year, money from the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, which had more than 2,000 participants, went to combat ebola in West Africa. Entrants and corporate sponsorships did dig this year.
“Last year, we netted between $90,000 and $100,000, and all of the net proceeds went for ebola control. I spent most of February in West Africa and we took an education message to $500,000 West Africans on ebola control. That was paid for in part by last year’s race,” Carrick said.
The race has changed significantly since 1985. Gone is the marathon format, and more and more efforts to create an environmentally friendly race are adopted every year. Food is as local as possible, T-shirts are sourced from fair trade companies, and waste diversion is paramount.
“Twenty years ago it was a marathon and eight kilometre run. A marathon is logistically an enormous challenge … and it wasn’t really a good course. It was very lonely. That first year, we had 200 in the marathon, 400 in the eight km. Last year we had over 2,000, so I’m delighted we moved to half marathons,” Carrick said.
Not only has the race helped developing countries, it’s boosted the local economy. Most of the race participants are from Calgary, and many make a weekend out of the event.
“We’ve lived here for 23 years and I love this place. I get a great deal of satisfaction organizing something in the valley that helps the bars, restaurants, hotels and merchants. It’s very cool to contribute to the town where we live. It’s beneficial for our charity, it’s athletic, it’s life affirming,” Carrick said.
Many volunteers and runners return every year, such as Lynn Borrowman and Patsy Murphy, who help keep it running every year.
“Lynn Borrowman has been with us forever. She helps us figure out logistics. Several of our sponsors, Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge and S2S Electric, have been with us for years,” Carrick said.
Former Canmore resident Patrick Cote won this year’s half marathon in 1:19:41, finishing ahead of Jeremy Lamothe and Chandra Kathet. As for Carrick, he’ll have more time to train for next year’s race, as he’s planning on retiring from CAUSE Canada at the end of the year. But the race will go on.
“There is no reason the race won’t be here for 100 years,” Carrick said.
