THUNDER BAY – Organizers have reluctantly called off this year’s Kakabeka Falls Legion Half Marathon, scheduled for Aug. 16, citing challenges conforming to provincial rules limiting the size of public gatherings.
Race director Jim Gilbert said organizers considered a variety of options, such as staggering start times, to adapt the event to conform with COVID-19 restrictions – but ultimately decided it simply wasn’t feasible.
The decision was made after seeking guidance from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and OPP, which both advised the event would likely be a violation of Ontario’s 100-person maximum for outdoor gatherings.
The race has grown from around 100 participants when it began in 2017, to around 270 last year.
It would have been a milestone year for the event, falling on the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II. Organizers planned to mark the occasion by adding a full marathon, along with the event’s usual half marathon and 8-kilometre races. It would be the only such road race in the region, Gilbert said.
The group intends to hold the full marathon next year instead, over the Aug. 14-15 weekend.
Gilbert, who has run over 100 marathons and over 80 half marathons, said the race offers one of the nicest courses he’s run (though he admits to being “maybe a little biased”), and looks forward to welcoming runners back next year.
The 78 people who had already signed up for the 2020 event are being offered the option of refunds on their fees, or free entry into next year’s race.
The group hopes to hold a smaller 8-kilometre “fun run” in September, which could help recoup some money already spent on preparations this year. That will depend on conditions closer to the time, Gilbert said, but could prove more feasible with a smaller number of participants.
Those interested can find updates on the group’s Facebook page.
