Enthusiasm and a desire to challenge themselves could best describe a group of more than 50 dedicated runners and walkers who meet every Sunday in Gibsons.
Phil Sera is Sun Run training clinic co-ordinator and one of nine volunteer leaders helping to train 42 hearty souls who are getting prepared for the 25th running of the Vancouver Sun Run April 19.
This is the fourth year Sera has co-ordinated the clinics organized through Sport Med B.C. and the Sunshine Coast Regional District. The clinic, which runs every Sunday for 13 weeks, started Jan. 18. There is a walking group, a learn to run group and a run faster group.
"The program has grown and shaped itself over the years, and we have a level for everyone," said Sera. "The program is designed to build up the participants' level through the training. Each week we do a bit more and hopefully everyone will complete the training and compete and finish the 10 km Sun Run in April."
With 10 leaders and 42 participants, the group will see 52 head to Vancouver in April for Canada's biggest and best community run. The Sun Run is the second largest timed 10 km in the world and the third largest timed run of any distance in the world. A record 59,179 participants celebrated the 24th year of the event in 2008.
Every Sunday starts with an educational topic, discussed at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre. Topics like injury prevention, nutrition, road safety and cross-training are led by Sera, then participants go through a warm-up, then head outside and are divided into their groups to head out for their run.
"The clinic is great. We have lots of eager participants," said Sera. "We have about 15 participants who have been a part of the clinic all four years. Some are even now volunteer leaders. It's great to see some in the group progress every year and see their training improve."
