A sea of red, live music to set the rhythm, more than 100 volunteers and a downtown core bubbling with enthusiasm will greet Boogie participants bright and early Sunday.
Many runners and walkers are familiar with the event, but there are newcomers — including a brand-new group of runners ready to tackle the five-kilometre route — so here’s what’s in store.
“What they can expect is a very high-energy sea of red,” said Runclub coach Jo Berry. She’s expecting a typical turnout of about 2,000 people.
First off, don’t wait until Sunday to pick up your bib. The Boogie Expo is open Friday (4-8 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) on the second floor of The Daily News, 393 Seymour St. With a bib, participants can ride transit for free and not have to worry about parking. They can also visit the Boogie Store, which is open now at the same location.
Wearing red is important, said race director Vince Cavaliere.
Red not only makes you more visible to traffic and safer, it says you’re part of a high-energy, positive movement for Kamloops. Remember, Movement is Change is the Boogie motto.
The main event begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the staging area in the 300 to 400 block of Victoria Street. Race-day registration lasts until 8 a.m. if you haven’t done it by then. Show up at 7:30 a.m., though, to take in the excitement and the spirit.
“We encourage everyone to come down early and take part in the energy of the downtown core,” Cavaliere said.
There are three athletic options for the run/walk with different start times: the five-km, 10-km (both at 9:30 a.m.) and 21-km (8:30 a.m.) routes. All follow the same route — this year including the one-kilometre Mini-boogie for children — a well-marked circular route over the Overlanders Bridge (stick to the two centre lanes) and down Schubert Drive to The Daily News water station. Here, the 21-km runners carry on to Westsyde’s Centennial Park before doubling back.
“We really encourage kids under nine and particularly the parents of kids under five to participate.” Kids age six to nine can run by themselves in the Mini-boogie. Parents wanting to participate in the athletic events can leave their six- to nine-year-olds to enter the Mini-boogie, as long as there is someone such as a grandparent to meet up with the youngsters afterwards.
Finally, to all participants at all paces: Stay within the orange traffic cones at all times.
And remember, movement is change.
BOOGIE TIME
8:30 a.m.: Start time
8:30-8:45 a.m.: Opening remarks
8:45-8:55 a.m.: Funky Boogie Warm-up
8:55 a.m.: Instructions for Mini-boogie and lineup
9:00 a.m.: 1K Mini-boogie
9:25 a.m.: All other distances to follow after completion of Mini-boogie in the following order:
* 10K
* 5K
* Walkers welcome (all strollers at back, no dogs, iPods or rollerblades)
