 INFORMATION |
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INFORMATION |
For Immediate Release
September 21, 2001
Runners, Take Your Marks! Ancient Tradition Inspires Modern-day Fun
(Banff) Lace up your running shoes and grab your baton! The 2001 Banff Mountain Ekiden Run -- a Japanese-style relay race -- takes place on Saturday, October 13, at 10:30 a.m. You still have time to join us!
The race finds its origins in the work of early Japanese couriers, who ran from post station to post station, delivering messages. The modern-day relay encompasses five legs that range in length from five to 12.8 kilometers for a total race distance of 43 kilometers or 26.2 miles. Ekiden participants will use the ChampionChip Timing System. We will place the chips in batons, which will replace the sash as the Ekiden exchange item.
The Banff Centre launched the tradition of the Ekiden run 12 years ago as a unique community-based fundraiser that paid homage to the strong influence of the Japanese tourism community. Banff Centre director of Development Sarah Hayes says the race has grown to be one of the Centre’s most popular fund raising events. "Most relays are point to point, but each leg of the Ekiden starts and finishes at The Banff Centre which means friends, family, and race supporters can gather and cheer on the runners." The event concludes with a hearty post-race meal (free to participants and $6.50 for supporters), and the screening of an alpine running film from the Banff Mountain Film Festival’s 2000 Retro Reels program, Sea to Summit, at 3:00 in the Eric Harvie Theatre. Runners are also welcome to enjoy the fabulous facilities (pool, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room) at The Banff Centre’s Sally Borden Building and receive an official race T-shirt designed by Calgary artist Dean Stanton.
The cost of the race is $200 per team (late entries are $225) and includes t-shirts, team prizes, draw prizes, and the post-race meal. To register, or for more information, call 1.888.495.4467 or fax 762.6398.
If you would rather not run, but would like to receive a race T-shirt, lunch, refreshments, and prizes, sign up as an Ekiden Volunteer. Call the Ekiden Volunteer Hotline at 762.6290.
The Banff Mountain Ekiden Run raises approximately $25,000 for artists’ scholarships and programs at The Banff Centre.
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The Banff Centre is Canada's only learning centre dedicated to the arts, leadership development, and mountain culture. Programs are designed to enrich professional practice beyond the realm of traditional education.