In May four years ago, my husband Robin and I discovered that the popular Run for the Ferry was about to be abandoned as the race director decided that he needed time for other projects.
Being runners ourselves, we thought it would be a pity for the island to lose this great event, which is for so many people an excellent start to Bowfest Day, so we decided to give it a go, with no previous experience in race organization.
We had already been supporting our daughter Margaret with her work sponsoring young girls through high school in Rwanda for several years, so it seemed an ideal opportunity to gather some extra funds. Little did we realize at that time that this would become an annual event for them.
As it happened, we had just joined the Rotary Club of Bowen Island and the club was happy to back this event. Four years on, we are still nurturing the race with the help of friends and club members, and are happy that this has become a popular community event for locals and visitors alike. Apart from the pleasure of a great run or walk, fruit and muffins (donated by local businesses) provide a nutritious snack, and the library lawn becomes a great vantage point for the Bowfest Parade that starts immediately after prizes are awarded.
The Children’s Run has become particularly popular over the years. Organized by Lisa Brougham, a well-known island gymnastics coach and runner, the run starts at 8:30 a.m. and covers 1.5 kilometres from the ferry dock, through the park to Miller Road and back again. Parents and/or grandparents often accompany their youngsters and are back in time to do the five or 10 k run.
Strollers are accepted too. All participants in the run receive a very glamorous medal, and the first 30 nine-year-olds and under who register for the run get free admission to Bowfest. New this year is a special prize for the first girl and boy to finish this run.
The 10-kilometre and five-kilometre runs start at 9 a.m. from the ferry dock. This year, Barry Adams, the course co-ordinator, has altered the course slightly so that it covers more trails than before.
Runners love this course as it is a comfortable run from the ferry dock to Killarney Lake and back, mainly through the Crippen Park trails.
If supporters are not up for the run, the five-kilometre course is open to walkers and is becoming increasingly popular.
Every year at least $5,000 goes from Bowen Island to the organization Komera to sponsor 10 girls from rural villages for their last three years at high school in Rwanda. This past year it was also possible to pay some of the salary of the social workers who supports these girls.
A sum of US $500 not only pays a girl’s school fees and boarding expenses, but also funds entrepreneurship and leadership camps where she learns skills that will be essential once she leaves high school. A little seed money is also given to each girl every year to fund a local enterprise.
Over the years we’ve noticed that Bowen Islanders are slow to sign up for the run, so this year we are encouraging everyone to sign up well in advance, to avoid confusion on race day.
Online registration is the easiest for everyone, available on the run website, rotaryrunforrwanda.com, and registration forms are available at various island outlets and can be handed in at First Credit Union or Phoenix. Tickets for Bowfest are available on Friday afternoon before the run on the library lawn and before the run on Saturday. This beats standing in line when the Bowfest gates open on Saturday.
August 23 will be a brilliant festival day as Bowfest celebrates its annual parade and summer fair, and the Rotary Run for Rwanda its fourth anniversary.
