Punjab Running Club membership climbing
Group looking to register 100 of its members in annual Sun Run
A running club aimed at encouraging physical activity in the South Asian community hopes to have a record number of participants in next year’s Vancouver Sun Run.
“We want to hit the century mark,” said Harminder Sidhu, a member of the Surrey-based Punjab Running Club. “We’re big time into the Sun Run.”
The Vancouver Sun Run, Canada’s largest 10-kilometre road race, takes place on Sunday, April 14.
The club started five years ago, when two founding members met on the Grouse Grind.
One of the things they talked about was how few South Asian people they saw out running in the streets of Surrey. They decided to start a family-oriented club to get members of their community moving and provide a good example for South Asian children.
“The whole purpose was to bring awareness to health and wellness in the Punjabi community, the East Indian community,” said Sidhu. “We find our foods are very rich, and running is the last thing our community does.”
Club members meet for social runs twice a week — Wednesday and Saturday — that start at Bear Creek Park. Skill levels vary from absolute beginner to those who have run multiple marathons, and there are preteens and retirees in the group.
Club members share stories and encourage each other as they run in groups or compete in races around the world.
Sidhu said people now recognize the Punjab Running Club members as they trot down King George Boulevard on their social runs, wearing their bright green shirts, and shout encouragement or honk their horns as they drive by.
There are 125 families from across the Lower Mainland — and even as far away as Kelowna — who call themselves members of the running club.
One major factor in building the club’s membership is the Vancouver Sun Run.
Five years ago, just nine runners formed the first Punjab Running Club team. Last year, they aimed to have 75 team members and ended up with 83. This year the goal is 100, which Sidhu said is absolutely attainable.
Sid hus aid the run is a chance to introduce more South Asian people to organized races and raise the profile of runners from the community.
“We love the Sun Run because of what is stands for, what it does, and their commitment to the wellbeing of the locals,” Sidhu said, referring to the run’s key values of community spirit, healthy living, fitness and fun.
“It’s such a renowned event, world renowned, and we like to encourage our runners, our members to sign up as much as possible for the Sun Run.”
Race director Tim Hopkins said there is a big push to recruit teams, which comprise the largest category of runners. He said more than 1,000 teams registered last year and they hope to have even more this year.
Hopkins said the Sun Run is more than a 10-kilometre road race.
“I think one of the biggest things is that it’s not just a run, it’s really a community spirit, a community involvement event,” he said. “There’s nothing more powerful than being on a start line with 40,000 other people — the energy, the excitement.”
Registration for the Vancouver Sun Run opened Nov. 1.
Runners, walkers and rollers can register online by visiting vancouversunrun.com — credit card is required for payment — or submit an entry by mail or in person.
Online registration closes on April 9, and mailed entries must be postmarked a week before the deadline. After April 9, runners can register in person on April 12 and 13 at the Vancouver Sun run fair at B.C. Place Stadium (777 Pacific Blvd.).
For individuals, the early-bird entry fee (Nov. 1 to Jan. 31) is $49, and the regular fee is $59.
In-person registration on the Sun Run fair weekend costs $70. Competitive wheelchair racers pay $49 to register.
For the 2.5-kilometre Shaw Mini Sun Run, early-bird registration for children is $22, regular fee is $29 and fair weekend is $35.
Adults age 19 and up pay $35 for early bird, $40 for regular fee and $45 on race weekend.
Teams can register until Feb. 15 for $49, and $59 from Feb. 16 to March 15.
Students under 18 participating in the Youth Team Challenge can register for $22 until Feb. 18, and $32 from Feb. 9 until March 8.
Those over 19 years of age can register early for $35, and $40 thereafter.
The registration fee covers, among other things, the cost of a souvenir technical shirt, race bib with timing tag, water stations and live entertainment along the course, and a post-race party at B.C. Place.
There’s nothing more powerful than being on a start line with 40,000 other people — the energy, the excitement.