Kelowna man to run 100th marathon in home town

Kelowna, B.C., runner Keith Parks is set to run his 100th marathon in 11 years over the weekend on his home course at the BMO Okanagan Marathon. The race will be his 12th time running the event.

Averaging nine marathons per year, Parks wanted to save his 100th one for the race he holds closest.

“When people ask me what my secret is, I tell them ‘I showed up!'” Parks told the Kelowna Capital News. “You can’t fake training. To run, you have to be logical, realistic and practical – you do what you can do on the day.”

Parks has also run 10 consecutive Boston Marathons, which he says is his favourite race, though the hometown course is one he considers great for qualifying for the Boston Race, being one of the faster routes in the region.

More than 3,000 runners will compete in the races over Thanksgiving weekend at the Okanagan Marathon, which includes a marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K. The races will be run Oct. 11 and 12.