Lace up those track shoes. The start gun is about to fire as the inaugural Morinville Family Race gets underway on Saturday, Sept. 13. “It had been in our thoughts for quite a while. We wanted to create a family based activity that would get people active and this is a multi-generational event,” said community services race organizer Melonie Dziwenka. Organizers felt the Amazing Race television series presented a positive message and modeled the town activity after it.
Lace up those track shoes. The start gun is about to fire as the inaugural Morinville Family Race gets underway on Saturday, Sept. 13.
“It had been in our thoughts for quite a while. We wanted to create a family based activity that would get people active and this is a multi-generational event,” said community services race organizer Melonie Dziwenka.
Organizers felt the Amazing Race television series presented a positive message and modeled the town activity after it.
“The TV show has so much energy about it, and the concept of a team competing and working together was something that was easy to transition to this community. You even see teams helping other teams,” Dziwenka added.
The race is structured to manage 20 teams with a minimum of two participants per team. Eleven families have already registered.
“We have one team that is a couple of grandparents with their grandchildren. Another team is mother and daughter. The father and son are on a different team. And then we have a family of five.”
The course starts at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre and moves west towards the Fishing Game Pond before returning to the centre.
The point-to-point race is set up with six stations or roadblocks that combine physical and mental challenges. Prior to the race, Fit Girl, a local personal training outfit, will lead the group in a series of stretching exercises.
“I've done the race in less than one hour, and we've allotted two hours for it,” Dziwenka said.
Pre-registration deadline is Thursday, Sept. 11. The cost is $20 per entry and will be used to purchase race supplies and a lunch served upon completion of the race.
To preregister call Morinville Community Services at 780-939-7830 or go online to morinville.ca. For more information call Dziwenka at 780-939-7833.
Organizers are hoping the race pays big dividends for families.
“It's an opportunity to be active together. Anytime a family that plays together, they stay together. It's a clichĂ©, but it's true. It's about taking those moments and enjoying life and being active.”
