In 1975 the Copper Country started running. Since the first Canal Run to this summer’s event, the race has kept residents and visitors active. From groups training and preparing for a half marathon. To local businesses sponsoring canal run year after year.
So we have the half marathon, the 10-mile, the five-mile, the two-mile, and we have a kids dash. And then we also have incorporated adaptive categories for the five-mile and the half marathon. So just seeing this growth, I think the original founder, Bob Olson, would be quite proud of us. That 10 mile was the signature event that started 50 years ago within McLean State Park. That’s our signature race. It is now known as the Bob Olsen 10-mile run in memory of him. – Angela Luskin, Race Director, Canal Run
Race director Angela Luskin says many people and families look forward to mid-July each summer. The canal run has evolved in recent years, to include adaptive athlete categories.
And then we had another racer in the community say, I’d love to do it, but I can’t quite manage that half marathon. Can we start with the five-mile? So we added the adaptive category to the five-mile. And now we have a couple of blade racers that have been participating in that event. So really trying to encourage as many people to be active and doing what we can to add as many categories to the canal run as we can. – Angela Luskin, Race Director, Canal Run
Canal Run has also started kids’ races. Luskin adds seeing families gathered on the Quincy green waiting for the kid’s dash to start has become one of her favorite moments in the day.
Seeing those families that are taking part in the canal run with whatever for, maybe they’re all doing the two-mile together, maybe some are doing the kids dash, you know that instilling and being great role models for our kids to move their bodies and be active, it’s just a wonderful thing to see. And then this year, our kid’s dash is gonna be changed to the Kiwanis co-op kids dash. So we’re excited about that. And over the years, we’ve seen kids start at the kid’s dash. And then they’ll jump to the two-mile event and then the five-mile. So that’s been great to see that growth too and that continued participation. – Angela Luskin, Race Director, Canal Run
A pillar of summer in the copper country, the canal run will continue to excite the community and get people up and out the door early in the morning. Many might feel intimidated by taking on one of the event’s races. But Luskin says doing what you can to prepare for any distance takes time.
So if I want to do the five miles, know, looking at some of those programs that we can get online and the canal run website has some free training programs as well to help people train for appropriate distances. So, you know, just trying to work our way back and remember to, you know, with the canal run, there is the competitive side of it. You know, it is timed, but most people participating in the canal run, they’re out there to have a good time. They’re out there to finish. So if we don’t get all of our training days in, I would tell people to give themselves some grace and do what they can move as often as they can, and then come out and have a great time at the canal run. – Angela Luskin, Race Director, Canal Run
Those interested in learning more about the 50th Canal run in Hancock on July 19th can find more information online. Organizers will need more than 100 volunteers for the event. Sponsors can also learn more about how to get involved online.
