With most in-person events and activities being cancelled this year due to COVID-19, it’s rare to find something that is still running business as usual. The fourth annual Bruce Mines Run Around the Bay is set to occur as an in-person race on Sept. 13 at 9 a.m.
The event will be in support of Bruce Mines Recreation and CASS Cross Country, as said in an event post on Facebook. It is open to the public, and all ages and skill levels are encouraged to join.
“Prior to having the run, the town of Bruce Mines talked to Algoma Public Health weekly. We didn’t decide to run it until Stage 3 was announced, where gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed. A lot of our local races have been cancelled up to this point, and people are looking for an opportunity to get together and race,” said Lexie Lajambe, co-ordinator of the Bruce Mines Run Around the Bay. “It’s a generally small race anyway, normally we have about 50 people.”
The scenic run will start at the Bruce Mines Marina, then head to the Bruce Mines Lighthouse and back for the 6 km route. The 10 km route will include running to Taylor Street. The winners in each age category will receive various prizes.
Runners who wish to register will be asked to provide an estimated seed time, so that multiple starts can be scheduled accordingly. The race will follow all current public health guidelines, and if these guidelines change by Sept. 13 then the event will be changed to a virtual race.
“Normally when you have a race, everyone starts at once. But we don’t want 50 people taking off to run at the same time. So as of right now, we’ll be staggering the starts to allow for social distancing to happen instead of a mass start at once,” Lajambe said.
Registration began July 20 and costs for the event are $20 per adult and $10 per child aged 10 and under. Runners can also opt to purchase a t-shirt for $20.
