As part of the Centennial homecoming celebrations this week, Smithers will host the inaugural Run to the Hills fundraiser on Aug. 4.
The run/hike begins at the outrun on Zobnick road and follows the 3.8 km Backdoor Trail to the to the top of Hudson Bay mountain. At the top, participants will receive lunch at the Marmot Mansion and a free chairlift ride back to the bottom.
Run to the Hills was the brainchild of C.O.B. Bike Shop’s Dave Percy, who saw a similar event held in Terrace.
“I wanted to get something like this going in Smithers,” Percy said. “It’s basically a test of mettle, open to anyone. One of the goals is to get people from all different levels, sizes and ages to come out.”
The Smithers Volunteer Fire Department is presenting the events and C.O.B. Bike Shop is the main sponsor. Cost per entry is $25 with proceeds benefiting the Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre.
“Come out and challenge yourself, have a goal to build on from year to year, and support a good cause,” Percy said. “The Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre does a great job for children in our community as well as other communities and they rely on events like this for their funding.”
Percy is hoping this will be the first of many Run to the Hills events.
“I would like to keep it going, to make it bigger and better every year. If we get 15-20 people I’ll be stoked, if we get more, great.”
To register, contact Dave at 250-847-8977 or drop by C.O.B. Bike Shop.