Fifty-eight teams of 15 runners each made their way from Banff to Jasper, June 4, to participate in the 12th annual Banff Jasper Relay.
The 260-kilometre relay was broken up into 15 stages from Banff to Jasper and consisted of two phases taking place simultaneously. Phase one included six stages from Banff to the Saskatchewan River Crossing. Phase two included nine stages from the Saskatchewan River Crossing to Jasper. Team results were based on the cumulative times for both phases of the relay.
“The Canadian Running Magazine has rated us as one of the top 10 relay events in Canada,” said one of the relay’s organizers Blair Shunk. “Each year the atmosphere is always awesome. There are some competitive runners, but it’s not ultra competitive.
“It’s just a day of good fun for a good cause.”
Each year the relay raises funds for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and supports medical research and outreach programs to help brain tumour patients and their families. This year’s event was held in memory of long-time relay participant David O’Brien, who died of a brain tumour in September 2015.
The annual race raises about $30,000 each year, according to Shunk.
Taking home the top spot was Edmonton’s Just Be team. Team member Matt Davies was the first person to cross the finish line outside of the Jasper Activity Centre. The team completed the relay in a total time of 19:27:36, about 15 minutes ahead of second place team, Agony of De Feet, which finished with a time of 19:43:36. The third place team, U of S Jog Squad, finished with a time of 19:51:54.
“We’re a mixed team of young and old, experienced and not,” Davies said after crossing the finish line. “This was my first time doing the relay, but I’m feeling good and I’ll definitely do it again.”
Scott Nicol, was the second runner to cross the finish line, and said while the day’s hot weather made the relay more challenging than he expected, the overall run went well.
“This is our third year as a team and our big goal was to beat last year’s time which we did, so we’re feeling good,” Nicol said. “The relay is a really good experience in the sense that you really have to rely on your team and support one another.”
Once the last runner had crossed the line, a celebratory dinner was held at the Jasper Activity Centre.
“I can’t tell you how much of a privilege it is to be in Jasper National Park, bask in the vibe of the community, and to celebrate the BJR and the volunteers and organizers who make it happen,” said long time relay participant Jim Everard.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
