Registration numbers are up for the Oak Bay Half Marathon B次元官网网址� a good sign for the raceB次元官网网址檚 organizer who took on a personal loss for the love of the event last year.
Dave Milne attributed a $15,000 loss in 2011 to poor weather and the involvement of a race director who spent more than the race was able to recoup on items such as increased capital spending and too much advertising.
Milne, who owns two Peninsula Runners stores, covered the loss and has no apprehensions about the future of the race, now entering its eighth year.
B次元官网网址淚t didnB次元官网网址檛 align with my frugal spending on this race,B次元官网网址� Milne said of last yearB次元官网网址檚 . B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 back in charge and everything is back on track.B次元官网网址�
More than 500 runners have registered for the May 13 event, up about 100 from this time last year. The race includes the half marathon, group relay and new this year, a five-kilometre run, which has thus far attracted 64 entrants. A two-kilometre kidsB次元官网网址� challenge and 400-metre fun dash are also on the itinerary for the charity event. Proceeds generated support the Help Fill a Dream Foundation.
Fees have been increased this year from last yearB次元官网网址檚 $40 and $55 for early bird and regular registration to a $55 to $75 range, depending on how close to the race runners sign up. The team behind the half marathon has been pared back down to Milne, six part-time staff members and a crew of volunteers. More volunteers, specifically road marshals, are needed, Milne said.
Milne hopes to see more than 1,073 finishers in the half marathon distance, in honour of its title sponsor, 107.3 KOOL FM. Last year a little more than 1,000 people were registered in the 21-kilometre race, but only 785 finished B次元官网网址� a number largely influenced by heavy race-day rains, Milne said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a part of growing,B次元官网网址� Milne said. B次元官网网址�(Races) are not easy to get off the ground to get them good. To get it up to 2,000 people, that costs money; that costs advertising. Risk is what it costs. B次元官网网址� Not many people are willing to accept that risk and I am.B次元官网网址�
The half marathon course remains the same as in 2011, with a start and finish along Oak Bay Avenue and ground covered from McNeill Bay to Cattle Point.
To register or volunteer for the event, click here.
