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Kamloops, B.C.

On the run in Kamloops, B.C

On the Run In… Kamloops, British Columbia
On the Run In… Kamloops, British Columbia

With plenty of recreational opportunities and active population, Kamloops is a welcoming place for any runner. Kamloops is British Columbia’s second-sunniest city with over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, making it an ideal getaway destination in any season. Trail runners will enjoy many options in the woods, while mountain bikers and skiers have an abundance of trails at Sun Peaks.

Short 5K (out-and-back) – Daily News Boogie training route
http://goo.gl/k4ojb

Flat and paved, the route runs along the Rivers Trail, which is mostly traffic free and scenic along the water. It’s marked with kilometre signs, making it great for training. Start at Riverside Park and head towards the overlander bridge. Head across the bike bridge and it will take you directly to Schubert Drive. Here you can easily spot the 2.5K marker and turn around and back to where you started in Riverside Park to complete the out-and-back route.

Medium 10K – Kenna Cartwright
http://goo.gl/0v7UR

Kenna Cartwright Park is the biggest municipal park in British Columbia. This park has stunning views of the city and river. The trails in the park are varied, accessible for all levels of runners, with solid footing. Runners, walkers and bikers regularly spot deer, coyotes, owls and bears here. One of Kamloops running experts Wayne Richardson (owner of Runners Sole) recommends this 10K trail run in Kenna Cartwright: Start at the Frontage Road Kiosk (Kenna Cartwright Parking Lot entrance) and proceed to run north among the prickly pear cactus, sagebrush and green space. This trail connects to the Upper Doug Daws Trail with rolling and breathtaking scenery. The final 2K connects to Red Tail Hawk Trail and then Kestrel Trail and lastly to Tower Trail taking you back to the parking lot.

Long 18K – Walk in the Park Trail
http://goo.gl/RsKJz

The Walk in the Park is an annual race in September, featuring distances of 18K, 36K and 54K — all run on the park’s 18K loop. “With the exception of a few connecting gravel roads, and some short steep slopes, most of the Walk in the Park course uses runnable singletrack as smooth and soft as a baby’s bum,” says race director Chris Larouche. This route has little technical terrain in the form of roots and rocks. But it’s hardly ever flat and the constant ascending and descending offers up enough challenge for all ages and abilities. Start from the parking lot on the southern sun-baked side of Mount Dufferin. Runners will find themselves navigating upwards and doing a loop of the following trails: Prickly Pear, Powerline, Saskatoon and Balsamroot. You’ll eventually reach the highest point (886 m) on the course. From there, drop down towards the Mesa Loop, a winding singletrack trail and then descend down the Deer Run Trail. From Deer Run, the course continues to descend down Reservoir Road to its lowest elevation (590 m). Runners then begin a slight climb back to the parking lot that they started from.

RACES
In addition the Walk in the Park, there are a number of other racing options on the Kamloops calendar. The city’s signature event is the Daily News Boogie ( www.dailynewsboogie.com). It happens on the third Sunday in April with over 2,000 participants, mostly dressed in red, and 17 bands on the route. The event includes four different distances: a 1K mini boogie for kids 9 and under, a 5K (walk or run), 10K (walk or run) and half-marathon. The Blackwell Dairy Run is a 15K on the last Sunday in May. The Rivers Spring Run-Off 10K in March is part of the Timex Series. Kamloops also has its Marathon Weekend in July and hosts trail series organized by the Dirty Feet Company.

WHERE TO SHOP
RUNClub (www.runclub.ca) offers a large variety of high energy, inclusive running and cycling clinics for all levels. Runners Sole (Suite 74-1395 Hillside Dr.) provides expertise in running, walking, biking and triathlon with an impressive and dedicated running section. Running Room (300-1210 Summit Dr.) also has gear, shoes and clinics.

WHERE TO EAT
Downtown Kamloops offers runners a lot of post-run choices: Coffee at Caffé Motivo (229 Victoria Street) and Frankly Coffee (437 Lansdowne Street). Pub food at Frick and Frack Tap House (577 Victoria Street) and wherever you choose to eat, stop by The Noble Pig Brewhouse (650 Victoria Street) to try the local microbrews.

Jo Berry is a running coach and event planner in Kamloops. B.C. Her website is RunClub.ca.

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