THUNDER BAY -- John Friday has run 113 marathons, including one last week in Houston.
But travel the globe as he might to get his running fix, the Thunder Bay says the Indoor Marathon at Lakehead University always has a special place in his heart.
It’s just a fun place to run, said Friday, who also happens to be the director of management services at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, the recipient charity at the annual event, now in its fourth year of existence.
“It’s been an exciting race since the beginning,” he said Wednesday at The Hangar, where the race will be staged on Feb. 10.
“Obviously some people were skeptical in that first year, but it has grown now tremendously now to the point where there are more than 300 participants.”
Runners come from all over, he added, Canadians, Americans and even overseas. But it’s the local running community that has embraced the Indoor Marathon and made it the spectacle and success it is today.
And the beauty of the race is that it targets everyone.
“It’s not just for serious marathon runners or half-marathon runners. The largest component of the participation comes from the team relay. It tends to be inclusive of runners of all abilities, and that really has led to the success of the event.”
Lakehead track coach Kip Sigsworth was one of those skeptics when the event was first announced in 2010.
But he quickly realized its potential, especially given its time of year. Mid-winter in February isn’t great for the outdoor running community, and the Indoor Marathon fills a huge void on the racing calendar, Sigsworth said.
“And the fact that were helping out Children’s Centre Thunder Bay and raising funds for them, it’s an awesome cause and we’re happy to be able to give back and be involved in the community.
“I was one of the biggest skeptics at the start. The idea of running 211 laps seemed to me to be a bit of a stretch. But with the shorter races, and especially the relay, and the format of the relay where you can run as many or as few laps as you want … it’s great.”
The energy in the building is phenomenal, he added.
“The excitement of people to be involved is fantastic.”
Last year’s event raised more than $12,000 for Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, money used to support the centre’s walk-in counseling clinic and other non-funded services.
To register, visit www.thunderwolves.ca/indoormarathon or phone 343-5035.
Registration, which closes at midnight on Feb. 7, ranges from $35 to $50, depending on the event.
