Last weekend’s Grizzly Bear Run was a resounding success, according to Race Director Jarrett Spannier.

Spannier, who is also president of the Revelstoke Alpine Runners club, said the entire run was, “excellent!”

“It went well,” stated Spannier. “We had 105 runners in the 12 [kilometre run], and 11, ... 6 adults and 5 kids, ran the [4 kilometre] Fun Run.”

Spannier said that about ten people cancelled on the race day itself, but along with the cancellations, around 45 signed up just before the race.

According to Spannier, race participants thoroughly enjoyed the event.

“They really enjoyed it,” said Spannier, who then noted: “The food was great, the weather was great, it was well planned, the course was well setup.”

While Spannier said he “was a little bit concerned” about a section of the course which ran through the gravel parking lot at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, ultimately there was little dust kicked up by cars in the lot, and consequently “there were no complaints at all.”

While many of the runners were Revelstokians, Spannier did say that there were a significant number of out-of-town competitors.

“There are a few people who specifically come, and say ‘I always come to this one,’” stated Spannier. “Many runners said, ‘I’ll be back next year,’ because they enjoyed what we did.”

Jarrett Spannier said that the Alpine Runners are looking at continuing activities for Revelstoke runners, including organized casual runs.

“We are trying to do a membership drive,” said Spannier. “The Alpine Runners are trying to build a database in town and we have a membership form to collect information.”

“We’re trying to plan some weekly runs around town, just for fun,” explained Spannier. “Our focus is just to get people running, there’s no cost involved.”

Forms will be available at the community centre or by contacting Jarrett Spannier at spanny1@telus.net.

See the 12K Grizzly Bear Run results on P. 13.