Marathon weekend includes kids events

A timed five-kilometre run is one of the additions this year to the BMO Okanagan Marathon weekend, Oct. 7-8 in Kelowna.

Events include a one-km kids fun run, 10-km run, a half-marathon and, of course, the 42.2-km marathon.

The course is a Boston Marathon qualifying race, and every participant receives a T-shirt and finisher’s medal, including the kids taking part in Saturday’s BMO ABC Kids Fun 1km Run.

In addition to running, there will be a Kids Zone with inflatables, soccer zone and face painting, and wine tasting for adults.

The Kelowna course is considered one of Western Canada’s flattest and fastest, and the race has been listed by Canadian Running Magazine as one to put on the radar this fall.

Run proceeds will support The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, which helps dreams come true for children living with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. The Sunshine Foundation also puts on the biannual Dreamlift to Disneyland.

Runners can sign up for one of the races at okanaganmarathon.ca.

Volunteers can join at https://marathonvolunteers.volunteerhub.com/lp/okanagan/events.

Volunteers will receive an orientation, T-shirt and be invited to an appreciation party. The orientation is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5.

Volunteers are still needed in the following areas: course marshals, data entry, servers with “serve it right” certification, gear check, lead cyclists, and volunteers to hand out water at water stations and at the finish line.