Thousands expected at Thanksgiving for family festival, run

Thousands of spectators will cheer on the athletes during the 22nd annual BMO Okanagan Marathon Family Festival Weekend on Thanksgiving weekend, Oct. 8-9, in Kelowna.

An estimated 60 per cent of participants are coming from B.C., and another 30 per cent from Alberta, with visitors arriving from the U.S. Northwest and from as far away as Australia and Japan.

Last year, 2,800 registrants took part in raceday festivities and more than 300 volunteers supported the athletes.

The BMO Okanagan Marathon is one of Western Canada’s fastest and flattest courses.

A Boston Marathon qualifier, the event attracts many seasoned and recreational runners. The beautiful course takes runners alongside scenic landscapes beside Okanagan Lake before finishing downtown at City Park.

Registration is open for all run/walk events — including the 5K, 10K, a 21.1K half-marathon and the marathon. For families, a Kid Zone and BMO ABC Kids event provides outdoor kids activities followed by a Fun 1km Run/Walk.

The BMO Okanagan Marathon continues to support The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, helping make dreams come true for children living with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Over the years the event has raised more than $373,000 for the charity that, in its 29-year history, has fulfilled 8,000 dreams across Canada.

To register for the event, go online to www.okanaganmarathon.ca. Volunteers can sign up by registering online at www.okanaganmarathon.volunteerhub.com.