The Martlet

TC 10K aims promote healthy lifestyles

Across the Capital Region District, people are dusting off their sneakers and hitting the pavement to train for the annual Times Colonist 10-kilometre race (TC 10K), taking place on Sunday, May 1.

Now in its 22nd year, this year’s race holds a surprise for participants: a new course.

“It’s going to be a one-loop course which is just going to allow us to continue to grow the race,” explained TC 10K Race Director Jacqui Sanderson. Last year, 13,508 people took to the streets as part of the event; this year, organizers are expecting 14,000–15,000.

The new course starts at Government and Belleville Street, and will create one big loop through downtown, down Fairfield Road to Dallas Road, before finishing up at the legislative buildings. The new course is expected to increase the speed of the race.

“The new course is going to be a very fast course. So for the elite component of our race, we’re hoping to see some really fast times,” said Sanderson, adding that the beginner and novice runners shouldn’t be deterred by the change. “It’s going to be a really nice route for everybody, whether you’re an elite runner or a recreational walker.”

Sanderson says that about half the participants run the race, while the other half walk. The event also includes a 1.5-kilometre race for kids.

Expanding the event is important to the organizers, who see the race as an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle.

“One of the things we set out as a goal in the next five years is to have 10 per cent of the population of Victoria participating in the event,” said Sanderson.

They’re also encouraging participants to run the race in teams this year. Last year, over 400 teams — comprised of more than 6,000 people — signed up. “I think it’s a really great opportunity for different businesses and groups to promote that active lifestyle within the workplace,” said Sanderson. “It’s an opportunity for people to get to know each other outside the office. So they might end up . . . going for a run or a walk at lunch or before work or after work. It just allows you to develop that camaraderie outside of the workplace.”

Sanderson says there seems to be a shift in the community whereby people are becoming more conscious of what they’re eating and what they’re doing.

“We’re just hoping to contribute to that lifestyle and to people getting out there and being fit and being active,” he said.