spacer
SSI
Search NNSL

  LOG-IN TO NEWSDESK ADVERTISINGSPECIAL ISSUESONLINE SPORTSOBITUARIESNORTHERN JOBSTENDERS


Subscriber pages

buttonspacer News Desk
buttonspacer Columnists
buttonspacer Editorial
buttonspacer Readers comment
buttonspacer Tenders


Court News and Legal Links
Home page text size buttonsbigger textsmall textText size
Sun fun run survives last minute push
Nearly-postponed event gets rush of late entries

Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 29, 2017

INUVIK
Two days before the annual Midnight Sun Fun Run, the Town of Inuvik put out a bulletin postponing the event.

 NNSL photograph

Runners take off in the half-marathon race during the Midnight Sun Fun Run Saturday, June 23. The race began at 10 p.m. and included later starts for 10 km and 5 km distances. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Recreation co-ordinator Steve Krug said there hadn't been enough registrations. But the town soon changed its tune and reinstated the event the same day it postponed it.

That turned out to be the right call. The number of participants ended up far beyond the numbers Krug was originally worried about.

"We had 95 people run, three dogs and one baby," said Krug afterwards.

"Once the postponing notice went up, the word got out that it was in jeopardy of being postponed and the running community, or people who are interested in the annual event, really pulled together and showed their community spirit and made the event happen."

Overall, 112 people registered, but not everyone competed in the races, which were split between half-marathon, 10 km and 5 km distances.

The numbers were only slightly lower than last year, which saw 109 people race and 120-some register.

"We were off just a little bit, but overall a great success," said Krug. "There were no bear scares, no first aid treatment was needed. Everybody that went out came back. I'm super happy with how it turned out."

The rain held off and so did the bugs.

The event is meant to be a fun annual activity for community members more than some sort of official race.

"There were all types of fitness levels that ran, walked," said Krug. "Everybody is there for their own personal interest or social interaction or trying to push their personal best or even just to get out and maybe meet new people. I only heard good things at the finish line when I was there."

Beyond Canada Day this weekend and summer day camps for youth, there aren't too many more big community events the recreation department is running this summer.

E-mailWe welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.