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Melissa's Road Race carrying on with tradition, going virtual

Melissa's Road Race returns for its 41st anniversary this fall, virtually

BANFF – Even during tough and uncertain times, an Alberta road race tradition is pushing forward on the heels of its 41st anniversary.

The Melissa’s Park Road Race, the biggest race in Banff National Park, is going virtual this fall, where participants can complete its five-kilometre, 10km or half marathon races from wherever between Sept. 26 to Oct. 12. Registration is now open.

Despite many sporting events being cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19, the Melissa’s organizers wanted to make the best out of a bad situation with “creativity, philosophy and survival” of the long-standing race.

“We all believe in physical activity and sport and instead of doing a straight cancel, we’ve pivoted to offering participants other opportunities,” said Paul Regensburg, race director.

“Our goal is to keep the participants active, healthy, and competing.”

Regensburg added that racers signing up have the option to compete in this year’s virtual race or deferring their registration to next year’s event at no charge. If participants chose to take on the virtual challenge, they'll be shipped one of Mel’s famous long-sleeved technical shirts with a design from the 2020 poster created by B.C.'s Peter Wyse; a commemorative finisher’s medal; and a $6 voucher at Banff Ave. Brew Co., among others.

Jim Fry, who has participated in every single Melissa’s race since 1979, sometimes with broken bones and in wheelchairs, plans on keeping his streak alive – pandemic or not.

“However, I’m not 100 [per cent] sure how you do a virtual run. I plan to go up on [Sept. 26] and run the actual [5km] course,” Fry said, in an email.

The timed virtual race can be completed anywhere, including a treadmill. However, Regensburg and company are encouraging runners to visit Banff to do their race inside the national park.

“It’s a legendary Alberta race, where about 90 per cent of it is Albertans,” Regensburg said. “It fits well with the type of travellers most communities are looking to have back first, the regional travellers, so it’s a really nice fit there.”

Melissa’s Road Race draws between 4,000-5,000 participants each year and initially the organizers thought of ways to hold the race under Alberta’s Stage 2 Relaunch Strategy, including with 200-person races over the course of a weekend.

However, after already gaining virtual race experience with this summer's Banff Marathon, the decision was to fall back on the popular platform this year. But, it still doesn't match the electricity of a race day atmosphere.

“I would take the physical, in-person race in a second," said Regensburg. "I'm longing for it to be back, and so are the participants. The virtual side of things will carry on for people who can't make it, but these events are about being there in person and enjoying Banff National Park and feeling the energy of the event."

 


Jordan Small

About the Author: Jordan Small

An award-winning reporter, Jordan Small has covered sports, the arts, and news in the Bow Valley since 2014. Originally from Barrie, Ont., Jordan has lived in Alberta since 2013.
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