Locals encouraged to enter Cardston Chase

Posted on July 25, 2024 by admin

By Heather Cameron
Westwind Weekly News

The 2024 Cardston Chase will take place on Friday, August 9 at Lions Park in Cardston.

“With a goal of promoting physical activity among Cardston and our surrounding communities, this a great race to showcase the Town of Cardston’s new 9th Avenue pathway and our beautiful town,” said Brendan Kearl, one of the organizers of the event.

Kearl says that the event will begin with the kids’ dash at 10 a.m. and will be followed by the 5 km and 10 km events at 10:30 a.m. and all runners should be finished by noon.

The 1 km dash, Kearl says, will start under the football booth and head south, out of the gates onto the nature trail, will turn around on the path and head back to the track, and the kids will have an electric finish running around the track clockwise back to the start/finish line. 

“Music will be playing, names will be announced and be sure to cheer on your little ones!” said Kearl. “The top finisher in each age male and female will get a medal. Age categories are ages 5 and under, ages 6 to 9, and ages 10-12. Kids Dash awards will be right after the dash at approximately 10:15 a.m. The name Cardston Chase is referring to a friendly cougar mascot chasing kids around the running route.”

The 5 km event, Kearl says, will start around the track through the gates and head north east on the nature trail, and then runners will turn south on Main Street, staying on the sidewalk all the way up the 121 foot (37 meter) elevation climb. Next, Kearl says, runners will head down 9 Avenue (Highway 501) on the new running path, and then after making the descent, they will head south on Creekside Road for a hairpin turn adjacent to the beautiful Lee Creek Valley Golf Course. Finally, Kearl says, runners will head back towards the nature trail, and finish the last stretch on the incredibly scenic nature trail path in the river valley.

Kearl says that the 10 km event starts around the track through the gates and heads southwest on the nature trail (splitting with the 5km) before runners will head south along the paved path along the beautiful view of Lee Creek. Before getting to the 7 Street bypass road, Kearl says, runners will head west up the new black paved path by the bike park, and at the end of the path they will start running on 7th out to the Beazer Road. Runners, Kearl says, will then turn south on the 501/Beazer Road until you hit a turnaround point. 

“2023 last year was this first year of the revival event,” said Kearl. “Previously, the Town of Cardston put on a fun run that went for years stopping around 2015.”

Kearl says that he, Greg Salmon, and teachers and co workers at Cardston High School that have a passion for physical activity and promoting spots and fitness in the community, as well as the Town and County of Cardston did help sponsor the event.

Also, Kearl says, Tim Williams and Value Drug Mart sponsored the event to help expand it and make it even better this year.

Anybody and everybody are welcome to register and participate in the event, Kearl says. The fee for the 12 and under 1 km dash, Kearl says, is $11 per person and the registration fee for the 5 km and 10 km events are a total of $24.50 per person, with the actual Race price being $23 plus a processing fee. Those interested in registering can visit: https://www.raceprotiming.ca/chaseentry24A.php. 

“Scheduled in Cardston’s Heritage Day celebrations, this will just add another event to bring the town together and celebrate our heritage with our family together!” said Kearl. “This is a fun event with music and laughs, fun competition and fitness. With food being provided after the race, medals to top finishers, and a fun atmosphere of a bouncy castle, park and spray park, it is a great way to start your fun filled Heritage Day weekend!”