2022-05-18
Chester Cut N Run just around the corner
by KEVIN MCBAIN
CHESTER - The Municipality of Chester Cut N Run event will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this June and the anticipation for the event is a bit more than usual after having to cancel it for the last two years because of pandemic restrictions.
The event scheduled for June 5th will feature a five-kilometre walk or run, a 10 km run and a modified two-and-a-half kilometre trail that people can go on as well.
Gordon Tate, Active Living co-ordinator and organizer of the event said that it has been an incredible nine years.
"In the past nine years, we've had 2,354 people take part in the event. I never thought of it quite that way, but I was pleased to see that," he said.
The event has attracted as many as 299 (2018) people and Tate said they are planning to host at least 300 people this year.
The pre-registration cut-off date for the event has come and gone, but people can still register right up until race time.
The start time is at 9 a.m. at Chester Area Middle School which also serves as the finish line. The five-kilometre walk-run loops participants near the water, through a few residential areas, then back to the school. The 10 km event follows the same route, but with an extra five kilometres on the Chester Connection trail heading out to Marriott's Cove.
Recently added was the two-and-a-half kilometre event as previously mentioned, that is "one of the little interesting things that we have woven into the event over the past few years," said Tate.
The route was planned to accommodate the residents of Bonny Lea Farm.
"It was really to find a way to best include them in the event because of the closeness of the community and the relationship that we're able to have with them," he said, adding that they not only bring participants and cheerleaders as well. To note that anyone with ability needs can use that route as well and is wheelchair friendly.
Bonny Lea Farm, according to its website, was founded in 1973 and is Nova Scotia's first and only one-stop all-inclusive residential, vocational and therapeutic provider for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Residents from Bonny Lea Arm are also able to take part in all of the festivities. As it is the event's 10th anniversary, Tate said they have added some extra "pizazz" to the event, adding some more entertainment to the start and finish line, more cheerleaders and many other elements.
All participants will be timed with the CHIP timing system. There will be healthy foods and drinks in the school and there will also be an awards' ceremony following the event.
There has also been time set aside to acknowledge some of the long-serving volunteers, sponsors and participants that have been involved, and made the event for the past 10 years.
To register for the event, you can stop in or call the Municipality of Chester recreation office, follow the link at chester.ca send an email to recreation@chester.ca.
There is a cost to participate in the event which helps pay any expenses that are incurred. Any left-over money is given to PRO Kids.
Tate said over the years there have been more local participants in the event and they are finding that the routes are challenging but satisfying at the same time.
"It's kind of a right-sized challenged for those folks who are a bit more competitive, but as well it may be your first time endeavouring a five-kilometre walk or run," he said. "Either way, we've heard back from local folks about feeling a sense of accomplishment they've had by taking on the challenge for themselves in their backyard, a place that is familiar to them and not too intimidating. This has caused many to come back year-after-year."
He noted that the committee have put an emphasis on inviting students from the area schools, estimating that 25 per cent of all participants are under the age of 18.
He also added that the event is not a part of the Run Nova Scotia series. Tate said that after the first event in 2011, organizers came to them to see if they wanted to be a part of the run series, but they declined the offer.
"Although there are advantages to being a part of it, we decided to keep it small without maybe, the extra expectations that come along with the series," he said.
He said the event has a really friendly atmosphere and "we're pleased and proud of that," and want to continue to develop that, adding that it has almost become a community celebration with summer just around the corner.
