Home Editorial Vancouver’s Rainforest Trail Run aims to promote participation of indigenous people

Vancouver’s Rainforest Trail Run aims to promote participation of indigenous people

July 16, 2019

There is a new five-kilometre trail race taking place in Greater Vancouver’s Central Park in Burnaby. It is named the Rainforest Trail Run and was started by the Achilles International Track and Field Society – the people that put on the annual Harry Jerome Track Classic.

All runners of all abilities are encouraged to run; however, the purpose of the event is to foster participation (walking or running) of indigenous people on their traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People.

The run takes place in the well-preserved temperate rainforest ecosystem of the 90-hectare park with a start and finish area at Swangard Stadium.

This event provides an opportunity for a greater understanding of our indigenous culture through the sharing of art and music in a festival-like atmosphere,” says Dr. Doug Clement, president of the Achilles Society.

The society is expected to eventually grow the run to 10K.

The inaugural 5K run takes place September 29 and is being held one year after the BC Sports Hall of Fame opened its new Indigenous Sport Gallery celebrating the many contributions to sport by First Nations athletes, teams, coaches and builders in BC.

The Clements, Doug, and Diane are former Canadian Olympic athletes and founders of both the Harry Jerome Track Classic as well as the massive Vancouver Sun Run, which is one of the largest 10k road races in the world.

Learn more about the Rain Forest Trail Run, here>>

RACE DETAILS

Location: Swangard Stadium (Central Park), Burnaby, BC on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People
Date: Sunday, September 29th, 2019
Time: 10:00AM (PST)
Pre-Race Details: Face Painting, Music, Warm-up
Post Race: Finishers Medal, Food, Hydration, Festivities, other
Entry Fee: $30.00 CDN

RACE REGISTRATION

In order to maximize the runner’s experience and protect the trails, race entries will be limited for the Rainforest Trail Run.

What’s included in your registration:

Aboriginally designed Finisher Medal
Race Bib
Tech Tee ($10.00 additional fee)
Water station on course
Swangaurd Stadium finish festival with music, food and much more

RACE POLICIES

Age restrictions:
Age Policy requires that as of race day, all participants must be 16 or older. Parents/guardians must sign the online waiver at registration for participants aged 15 or under. Parents/guardians are also urged to ensure that young runners have the training and pace judgment required to complete the event comfortably.Refunds:
Entry Fees are non-refundable and are not transferable to anyone else due to liability reasons. They are also not deferrable to the following year.

Course Time:
The course opens at 10am and will officially close at 11:30 am on race day. Swangard Stadium (start/finish) will be open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Entries:
The Rain Forest Trail Run is capped at 1,000 participants.

WEAR AN ORANGE SHIRT!

Orange Shirt Day is an initiative where participants wear an orange shirt to commemorate the generations of children who attended the Indian Residential Schools.

The initiative is an opportunity for healing through Truth and Reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day is recognized annually on September 30th.

Small actions can make a big different.In the spirit of reconciliation and to recognize Orange Shirt Day, athletes are encouraged to wear an orange shirt during the Rainforest Trail Run.

Learn more about the story of Orange Shirt Day by clicking here.