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Runners attend the award ceremony after the 2021 Forever Young 8K run.

Photo courtesy Richmond Olympic Oval

Forever Young 8K Run returns to Richmond

By Matthew Cheung

Published 12:50 PDT, Fri September 2, 2022

Last Updated: 4:18 PDT, Fri September 2, 2022

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The annual Forever Young 8K run will take place at the Richmond Olympic Oval on Sept. 11.

The event was cancelled in 2020 and converted to a virtual run in 2021. This year’s run will begin outside the Richmond Olympic Oval and travel along the North Dyke beside the Fraser River, with the midway point being at Terra Nova Rural Park. Runners will then turn around at the midway point and head back to the start point.

This event started in 2015 with a group of seniors who occasionally entered marathons but were always surrounded by very fast young people. The runners found that no one would stay around for the older winners during the award ceremonies.

“So, in celebration of seniors who maintain their fitness and to enjoy the camaraderie of other fit seniors we decided it was time to have our event,” says John Young, founder of the Forever Young Club and the 8K run.

Presented by Nurse Next Door Home Care Services, the event is also sanction by BC Athletics. According to BC Athletics, it is the only 8K event for runners aged 55-plus in Canada, says Young.

Standard registration has ended, but late registration is still available for $57.75 per person. Once registration has been completed, runners can pick up their running package as early as two days prior to the run.

Running packages will be available on Sept. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Run Inn, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Richmond Olympic Oval Lobby, and Sept. 11 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Richmond Olympic Oval Riverside Plaza.

Along the run, participants will enjoy the scenic view and be encouraged by volunteers along the way. Volunteers will be present at every kilometre post and a phone-equipped volunteer will be present at every post and water station. There will also be water stations at McCallan Road and Barnard Drive.

Runners’ times will be recorded using chips attached to each participant’s bib number, and first aid personnel will be stationed at four separate areas along the course. Radio-equipped personnel will travel along the course during the run in case of any incidents.

Once runners have completed their run, an award ceremony will be held where all participants will receive a participation pin. The winners who placed in the top three will receive a certificate and a first, second, and third place pin.

There will also be an opportunity to win draw prizes, interact with other runners, dance to favourite tunes, and partake in food and beverages provided by the event team.

The Forever Young Club has been in operation for nine years, and members often meet on Monday and Wednesday mornings for a 10-kilometre run or a six-kilometre walk. Routes vary from Kerrisdale to False Creek to Stanley Park. At the end of the one-hour run or walk, club members socialize over coffee.

For more information, visit foreveryoung8k.ca