5 Peaks Adventures launches new kids race series

The 5 Peaks Adventure organizers have announced they are launching a new series of runs for children at all of their regional summer 2014 trail events. The events will be called Run Kids Canada.

The races will be 3K trail races for youth with the hopes of getting them interested in trail running early in life. Race will be divided into five age categories as well as between boys and girls.

There are seven regional events that youth can race in and championships events in September.

“Running and playing in the forest are natural for kids,” said 5 Peaks CEO Amy Golumbia. “With the introduction of Kids Run Canada, whole families can run and have fun in Canada’s great natural places while interacting with other trail enthusiasts.”

Funding for the program came from Dr. Grant Barlett, a Calgary businessman and supporter of healthy living initiatives.

“I was asked to support a program to get more kids running in the forest,” said Bartlett. “My young grandchildren, and so many others, can participate and grow from this opportunity so my response was a wholehearted ‘yes.'”

The organization has already inspired a generation of ultra and trail runners since they got their start in 1998. Expanding from a small operation in Vancouver during the late-’90s, 5 Peaks now hosts races in five provinces with over 12,000 annual contestants at their events.

The first 5 Peaks races of 2014 happened last week on May 31, but the season is just getting started. Up next is a day of racing in B.C. and northern Alberta on Saturday, June 7.