WHISTLER (NEWS1130) – Today the Whistler Spirit Run takes over the community’s Olympic Park.

The event features races for adults, elementary and high school students, as well as a family fun run and team relay.

Organizer Peter Diemer says it all started five years ago.

“[We wanted to] create a cross-country trail event which would allow people in the corridor to not have to travel to other parts of BC or into Washington State or over on Vancouver Island and have a real competitive race in their own backyard.”

Diemer says there are races for runners of all ability.

“We have a one-kilometre family fun run where people run with their dogs and kids and strollers and their backpacks,” he explains. “It’s a great photo opportunity in the Olympic Park and in front of the Olympic rings. And at the end of the day, [there is] a four by two-kilometre relay race.”

If you’re heading up to Whistler, watch out for the News1130 relay team led by Jesse Johnston, Tanya Fletcher, Shane Bigham, Rob Freeman, Andrea Macpherson and Mike Lloyd.

Event times:

11 a.m.         6k Women & 8K Men, Whistler Spirit Run – Women & Men

12 p.m.         2k Girls & Boys, Elementary 12 & Under

12:30 p.m.    3k Girls & Boys,  Junior High 15 & Under

1:15 p.m.      4k Girls & 5K Boys, Senior High 17 & Under

2 p.m.           1k, Family FUN RUN

2:30 pm.m     4x2k RELAY, Corporate, Club, & Family Divisions