NEWS & RELEASES >> 2007
Mar 9/07 - Gleukos samples/demos at MarketPlace IGA in Gibsons, March 16
Mar 5/07 - 30th Anniversary Fool's Run gearing up to be a celebration
Jan 22/07 - Faster, flatter course for 30th Anniversary April Fool's Run
Nov 9/06 - Sarah Loverock to perform at 30th Anniversary Sunshine Coast
April Fool's Run
For immediate release: Friday, March 9, 2007
Gleukos samples/demos at MarketPlace IGA in Gibsons, March 16
New this year, Gleukos All-Natural Sports Drink will be offered at each aid station, along with the traditional water. Used by local standout Shaun Stephens-Whale and Olympic triathlete Simon Whitfield, among others, this is a fantastic new performance beverage that works like an IV to quickly get energy into the bloodstream.
Come to MarketPlace IGA in Gibsons on March 16 from 2–7pm to sample Gleukos (you don't want to be trying something new on race day!), see demos, and meet Shaun. This is also a special opportunity to order pasta dinner tickets and enter the race at regular rates — one day past the deadline!
Gleukos will be available soon for purchase at the Gibsons IGA as well as The Medicine Shoppe in Wilson Creek. Stay tuned for more announcements.
For immediate release: Monday, March 5, 2007
30th Anniversary Fool's Run gearing up to be a celebration
Fun and fast times expected
Over 330 runners and walkers are signed up and ready to make the trek from Gibsons to Sechelt on April 1st for the 30th edition of the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, presented by Coast Cable.
Numbers are on track to meet or beat last year's total of 532 participants, with entrants from all over BC, several other provinces, and the US. With fees increasing after Thursday March 15th, a flood of additional entries are expected this week.
March 15 is also the deadline to order tickets for the Saturday night pasta buffet and concert, featuring Sarah Loverock and band at Pack Ratt Louie's. Don't miss a fabulous evening of food and entertainment—the perfect way to carbo-load and relax the night before the run!
Visitors please note that the Cedars Inn Hotel & Convention Centre is already sold out for race weekend, and there is only one bed left at Up the Creek B&B. Additional accommodation can be found at the Ritz Inn and the Sunshine Lodge, also offering discounts to participants. See www.foolsrun.com/visitors.htm for details.
With Daylight Savings starting on March 11th this year, no one has to get up an extra hour early on race morning—a nice change from the past couple of years. This, combined with the new, flatter course, should produce faster times. Last year's winner Graeme Wilson of Vancouver will be going for a 1:09:00 finish this year, which would knock nearly a minute off the current event record held by Nik Southwell since 2004.
Also new this year: Gleukos All-Natural Sports Drink will be offered at each aid station, along with the traditional water. Used by local standout Shaun Stephens-Whale and Olympic triathlete Simon Whitfield, among others, this is a fantastic new performance beverage that works like an IV to quickly get energy into the bloodstream. Runners should check the race website for local retailers carrying Gleukos so they can train with it before race day.
Speedy types can compete for the Gleukos Power Mile: $50 cash for the 1st individual to reach the one mile mark (9am start only). The catch: the winner must finish the entire half marathon to collect the loot! An interesting race will unfold as the leaders decide whether or not to go for the $50 bonus or stay on scheduled pace for the overall top 3 cash prizes.
All finishers, regardless of time, will be rewarded with a special finisher's medal, newly designed for the 30th edition of the run.
Not running but want to be a part of the weekend fun? The organizers are looking for more volunteers to help with course marshalling, as well as package pickup and finish line crew. Sign up online at www.foolsrun.com/volunteer.htm or call Teresa or Larry at 604-885-8849. Each volunteer receives a t-shirt and invitation to the post-race volunteer wrap party, plus the chance to win a draw prize.
All details and registration can be found at www.foolsrun.com.
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For immediate release: Monday, January 22, 2007
Faster, flatter course for 30th Anniversary April Fool's Run
New finish line at Davis Bay pier
The 2007 edition of the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, presented by Coast Cable, will be a little easier to finish—without the infamous Davis Bay Hill at mile 11. Concerned about the safety of the participants over the final two miles of the route in recent years, the organizers are moving the finish line to the pier in Davis Bay. To make up the lost distance, participants will run an extra portion in Gibsons, heading straight down Pratt Road to Chaster, then up King and Veterans before returning to the regular route.
"In the last couple of years the traffic has increased significantly along the highway on race morning, especially between Davis Bay and the Raven's Cry Theatre," said co-organizer Teresa Nightingale. "Not only did runners have to contend with narrow uneven shoulders (or none at all), a wiggly curb on the hill, and a constant stream of vehicles, there have been reports of a crazy driver who actually aimed his truck at the runners, forcing them to jump aside to avoid being hit! So, until the highway is widened and pedestrian/bike lanes are added along that stretch, we will not put runners on that part of the road."
The new finish line is in a very scenic spot, where more spectators are likely to gather and cheer the runners in. There will be barricades separating the runners from the road, with the last few hundred metres of the course taking over the parking pullout along the waterfront. Spectators can line up along the promenade path. Drivers in a hurry can detour via Whitaker Road and Bay Road to avoid the entire finish area.
See full details and new course map at www.foolsrun.com.
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For immediate release: Thursday, November 9, 2006
Sarah Loverock to perform at 30th Anniversary Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run
Canadian Idol Top 9 finalist to entertain at pre-race pasta dinner in Gibsons, March 31st, 2007
November 9/06 — Race organizers are excited to announce that 2006 Canadian Idol Top 9 finalist Sarah Loverock and her band will perform at the pre-race pasta dinner on Saturday March 31st in Gibsons, to help kick off the 2007 Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run.
The 25-year old mother of two from Gibsons made it to the top 9 in this year's Canadian Idol, after being a Top 48 competitor in Season Three previously. Described by the judges as the best technical singer in the competition, Loverock wowed audiences across the country with her fabulous voice, and of course garnered huge support from fans here on the Sunshine Coast.
Formerly a store supervisor at the Gibsons Super Valu, Loverock is now pursuing her musical career full-time and has put together a band, which is so new they don't have a name chosen yet. For the 30th Anniversary Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, they will be performing at the pre-race pasta dinner at Pack Ratt Louie's Grill in Sunnycrest Mall — about 20 feet away from the Super Valu.
The band describes their sound as "funk'n rock" with a repertoire of cover songs ranging from Maroon 5 and Sublime to Aerosmith and Bon Jovi as well as original material.
Visit the band's page on myspace.com for photos, music clips and more
Tickets to the pasta dinner are just $20 and are available to all race participants and their family and friends (free for children 12 and under). Pack Ratt Louie's is serving up a full buffet with breads, salads, choice of pasta entrees, fruit salad and beverages. Tickets can be ordered when registering for the race or using a separate online ticket order form (see Registration page for details and links). Online registration is open now.
Photos courtesy of CTV
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