Although unexpectedly chilly, more than 200 athletes were dashing through the snow on Saturday (Nov. 30) to raise money for Jasper’s recovery.
Trevor Soll, owner and race director at MultiSports Canada, reported the Rebuild Jasper Run raised more than $21,000 as of Monday (Dec. 3), but online donations would continue to be accepted.
“Donations stay open for another few weeks, so we're hoping to be close to $25,000 by that wrap,” Soll said.
MultiSports Canada, which has hosted sporting events in Jasper since 2015, decided to rebrand its Pints and Pinot Run, an end-of-season race, to bring awareness and support to the community following the wildfire.
The Rebuild Jasper Run served as a fundraiser for the Jasper Community Team Society and the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade.
“A big thank you to the community, and we’re here to help as much as we can between this event and the partnerships we have with the charities for the half marathon, Gran Fondo and Banff Jasper Relay,” Soll said.
This run’s route went up Pyramid Lake Road to Pyramid Lake before looping back to the townsite. The full run was 16 kilometres or a 10-miler. The shorter runs were eight, five and one kilometres, and there was a virtual run.
The event went smoothly overall, Soll said, despite the forecast being wrong.
“The forecast was going for a high of -2 Celsius pretty much all week,” he added. “It was probably about -13 C throughout most of the day, which was fine, but some people were little underprepared, but all in all, it worked out great.”
Around 205 out of 250 athletes showed up, which Soll described as only being slightly higher than the typical no-show rate of 10 per cent.
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland gave remarks during the event, where he thanked MultiSports Canada for rebranding the run to help Jasper.
“We really appreciate all of your support, and know that your generosity and your donations are going to help the Jasper Community Team Society through the Cares Community Fund,” he told athletes. “That is a fund set up to help Jasper's most vulnerable, and unfortunately, there are lots of people in that position now.”
Ireland noted donations also support the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade, who were instrumental in helping save much of the town.
“Have a great time out there,” he added. “Enjoy the run. It's a fabulous course. Enjoy the scenery. You're running in a part of the park that didn't get touched by fire.”
Soll noted they would likely stick with the Rebuild Jasper brand for a few more years while the rebuild is ongoing and would continue supporting the Jasper Community Team Society and the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade.
“Obviously, it was a good fit, and unless something drastic comes over the next couple of years, both charities seem to be a good fit for the event and the community,” he said.
