Preparations for the inaugural Rainforest Trail Run ramped up this week as event organizers, Vincent Doyle and Chris Hancock of the Achilles International Track and Field Society responded to interaction with First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Evan Adams and the Indigenous Physical Activity and Cultural Circle (IPACC) leader, Dr. Rosalin Miles.

The event is intended to celebrate health, Indigenous culture and reconciliation with an inclusive 5k Run/Walk plus a festival component featuring Indigenous music and dance with a focus on family inclusion. A Kids Run of 500m will start the festivities at 9:40 AM on Sunday, September 29th in the urban rainforest trails of Central Park, Burnaby. The 5k event will start at 10:00 AM. Registration can be done online at www.rainforesttrailrun.com

Entry fee is $30 while Kids Run is free and requires no registration. All registered runners and walkers will receive a commemorative medal designed by Indigenous artist, Don Yeomans

Start and Finish area will be in Swangard Stadium just a short walk from the Expo Line Patterson Station.  The festival component will start at 11:00 AM and conclude prior to noon. Food will be available for purchase by Mr. Bannock Indigenous Cuisine. It is expected that the Tsatsu Stalqayu Coastal Wolfpack will be present.

FNHA has supported Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (ISPARC) to organize and provide Training Clinic supervision in the weeks leading up to the event in First Nations communities.  FNHA as well has a physical activity program this month.  

Four days ago, Dr Evan Adams said “Today is Day 1 of the 30X30 challenge – 30 minutes of physical activity for 30 days. I’m so proud of how many of you signed up online to do this challenge - 2,415 people so far”.  He was referring to the number of Indigenous British Columbian already signed up for the program.  The RainForest Trail Run fits perfectly into the program and falls very close to the Autumn Equinox so symbolic in Indigenous cultures. Register Now!

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