The Wells Gray Outdoors Club (WGOC) welcomed 123 runners for the annual Candle Creek Half Marathon on Aug. 24 which took place during some unexpected stormy weather.
"It was not our normal weather dealing with so much wind and plenty of rain,” said event organizer and club president, Juanita Allen.
In spite of the unusually cooler weather, runners were geared up for the run and ready to take on the race of their choice - a kids' race or the one-kilometre walk-run, a five-kilometre walk-run, and the 21-kilometre half marathon.
“The WGOC is happy to say it was another successful year, with partnership and guidance from Runner Sole located in Kamloops, as well partnership and support from many local and surrounding businesses," said Allen. "We heard from some participants they preferred to run in the rain as opposed to the usual 30 degree plus weather they often experience at this time of year. Even though the weather brought with it some newly-anticipated challenges many of the 123 runners enjoyed their first time in Clearwater.”
Some runners arrived in Wells Gray Country a few days in advance of the marathon giving them time to explore Wells Gray Park falls, Wells Gray Lively Arts Summer Stage music, shopping local and the well-cared for WGOC bike trails.
“We were pleased to hear from many of the runners and walkers and how impressed they were with the trail work done by our amazing team of volunteers having such a wonderful experience here in our beautiful town of Clearwater, with many planning on returning next year. It’s so great to see so many previous participants who have supported the WGOC every year coming from as far away as Kelowna, Prince George, Golden, Vernon, Kamloops, Barriere and of course local runners and walkers here,” said Allen.
The annual marathon is a point of pride for Allen and the team of WGOC members who devote many months of planning, grooming trails, contacting sponsors, and promoting registration which usually starts in February of each year and closes in August. There are currently more than 30 kilometres of hiking biking, and running trails well maintained by the WGOC volunteers and sponsors locally.
Wells Gray Outdoors Club is a non-profit organization with an ever-growing membership who enjoy the trails year-round, with those volunteers dedicated to making sure both summer and winter events are successful. In summertime the events include the Candle Creek Half Marathon, horseback riding and mountain biking and in winter users enjoy excellent cross-country skiing, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Kids ages four to 14 participate in the B.C. Rabbits program, introducing them to cross-country skiing via lessons. The program allows them to earn badges of proficiency as they progress while taking part in races and a ‘Fun-Day’ event during the winter season.
Honour boxes are located at trail head kiosks providing a way for visitors to donate towards the maintenance of the trails throughout the year and everyone is welcome to enjoy the trails in the area and make use of the facilities which include a washroom, and a limited number of dry campsites that are also available for tenting by donation. The Raft Rim Rec Site can be accessed via the western Raft Mountain forestry road (FSR) that connects to the Candle Creek Trail network that is used for hiking, biking and running.
“I would really like to express my thanks to all the volunteers for their hard work on making this and every year such a success," Allen said. "Wells Gray Search and Rescue, Blackpool Fire Rescue, Wells Gray Amateur Radio Club, the ladies hosting the registration and selling T-shirts and of course my husband Dwight for his countless hours of hard work behind the scenes. We can’t forget the hard-working timers, parking attendants, water stations, marathon marshals, sweepers, those who provide transportation to our water stations, photographers and volunteers who prepared the trails before and after the run. So many to thank, our sponsors at Runner’s Sole for being our MC and music, Popeye’s Supplements and Zumiez from Kamloops. The WGOC is so thankful to all our local sponsors and surrounding businesses who continue to generously donate to the marathon each year. Without all of this support the Candle Creek Half Marathon would not be possible.”
Next year’s marathon is scheduled for Aug. 23, 2025, and if you are interested in participating or volunteering you can contact organizers Juanita and Dwight Allen at: blackpool2016@telus.net
