Runners will have to go pretty fast at the Bastion Mile, or they might get run over by a parade.
The Bastion Running Club has organized a new 1.6-kilometre race for Sunday (May 19) just before the start of the Empire Days parade, along the downtown parade route.
“Some of the old-timers in the Nanaimo running community said they could remember the day when there used to be a mile race downtown before the parade on the parade route,” said Mike Thibodeau, Bastion Running Club president. “And I thought it was a fantastic idea … and it created some excitement within the club.”
The course comes ready-made with spectators who should inspire runners to fast times, said Thibodeau.
"We'll definitely have some people who will be able to push some pretty fast times on it, I would imagine," he said.
The event is open to anyone, and people can pre-register online at www.bastionrunning.ca. More information can be found at that site including a map of the course and options for downtown parking.
There will be race-day registration at the start line Sunday at Nob Hill Park from 11:30-12:30 a.m. and the race starts at 12:50 p.m. Cost to run the race is $10.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com