Langford is hosting VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 first Goddess Run, a women-only road race in June that includes a half-marathon (21.1 kilometre), a 10 km and a five km route.

Up to 1,500 goddesses will run or walk along the routes that wind through Langford and Colwood.

Organizers hope the Goddess Run will become an annual event aspiring to unite women and celebrate the power they can have when they work together.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a fun, celebratory name,B次元官网网址� said co-race director Cathy Noel, who is also the general manager of the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon and a former race director of the TC 10K. B次元官网网址淎nd goddesses can be any age.B次元官网网址�

Watching the growing popularity of women-only races across the continent and with the high concentration of female runners and walkers in the Greater Victoria area, organizers wanted to create an event here.

B次元官网网址淢ore than 900 runners have signed up already,B次元官网网址�  said Louise Hodgson-Jones, a media representative for the event. B次元官网网址淲e can feel the popularity growing.B次元官网网址�

Depending on the distance entered, goddesses will pay between $35 and $75, with $5 from every fee directed at the runnerB次元官网网址檚 discretion to one of four charities: Sport Assist, a charity that aims to eliminate the financial barriers keeping children from participating in sports; Promotion Plus, an organization dedicated to increasing opportunities for girls and women in sport; the WomenB次元官网网址檚 Sexual Assault Centre, or the Victoria WomenB次元官网网址檚 Transition House. As of the eventB次元官网网址檚 official launch on April 4, $6,265 had been donated to the charities.

Two years ago, organizers of the Fort Rodd Hill half-marathon ran into difficulties when the Ministry of Transportation denied permission for that run to cross Sooke Road. That runB次元官网网址檚 route had to be re-directed, but Noel anticipates no such hiccups.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got all the permits,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e got them all in my hot little hands.B次元官网网址�

En route, along with the standard water, aid and cheering stations, will be chocolate stops, where tired and hungry runners can carb up on an assortment of cocoa concoctions courtesy of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut. Other attractions will include champagne toasts, bistro recovery food, massages and music.

All runners will start and finish at Goudy Field, in LangfordB次元官网网址檚 City Centre Park, where music and other entertainment will take place on a temporary stage.

The half-marathon will start at 9:00 a.m., the 10 km race at 9:30 a.m., and the 5 km race at 9:45 a.m.

The half-marathon is open to women 15 years and older, and other events to those 10 years and older. Sterling silver necklaces will be awarded to every finisher. The event is also looking for B次元官网网址済odsB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� men B次元官网网址� to volunteer.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e so amazed at how itB次元官网网址檚 taken off,B次元官网网址� Hodgson-Jones said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be some event.B次元官网网址�

For race maps and more information on the Victoria Goddess Run go to www.victoriagoddess.com.