Rainforest Trail Run begins at Swanguard Stadium on Sunday

The trail through Burnaby Central Park began in 2019 to encourage physical activity among people from indigenous communities.

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Get ready to tie your shoes for the annual Rainforest Trail Run on Sunday.

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The fun five- or 10-kilometer run on the trails of Burnaby Central Park began in 2019 to encourage physical activity among people from indigenous communities.

“It is an important part of our Indigenous nations, as well as for all Canadians, to recognize that overall health can be improved by participating in lifelong physical activities like walking,” said Doug Bruce Clement, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Achilles International Track. and Field Society, a nonprofit society founded by Vancouver Sun Run in 1985.

The Sun Run was launched with similar goals, Clement noted, and has grown to about 40,000 participants before the pandemic. Wait for the Race through the rainforest It will also inspire people and have a strong impact on their health and lifestyle.

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And since Thursday marks Canada’s first National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Sunday’s race is also a way for people to learn more about Indigenous culture and history through the exchange of art and music in a festive atmosphere, Clement said.

The Coastal Wolfpack, a family group of three generations of Coast Salish artists will be at the event. The organizers plan to add cultural plugins in the future.

The inaugural event drew about 400 people, then was canceled last year due to COVID-19. This year, organizers hope to regain momentum at the reduced capacity event.

The race begins and ends at Swanguard Stadium. There is a kids run, a 10K run, which is capped at 200 entries, and a 5K run / walk, capped at 300. Enrollment is still open and starts at $ 45.