On Saturday, June 16, McLennan’s Grit 12-Hour Ultra Trail Run and Relay comes to Summerland’s Conkle Mountain Park.
The Summerland Rodeo Grounds is the site for this day long trail running event geared to runners who are looking for a new endurance challenge, and enjoy bringing friends and family together in an outdoor environment where health, community spirit, and fun are the focus.
Athletes can participate in McLennan’s Grit individually, as a two-person team, or as a team of three to six athletes.
Located on more than 28 hectares of beautiful Okanagan terrain in the hills west of Summerland, participants of all abilities may run or walk the five-kilometre trail loop through the airy Ponderosa pine forest of Mount Conkle Park back past the Rodeo Grounds club house completing as many laps as they would like to in the 12-hour time frame.
The start and finish of each lap is located at the Rodeo Grounds where the Energy Zone transition area will be comprised of team tents, timing headquarters, aid station, and cheering spectators.
There is ample parking on site as well as washroom facilities.
Teams are invited to set up their own base camps in the Energy Zone complete with comfy chairs, banners, cowbells and whatever else makes it fun to hang out for the day. There will be on-course nutrition for athletes, and food and drinks will be provided post-race in the Club House to celebrate the day.
McLennan’s Grit is named in honour of ultra runner, triathlete Fred McLennan and hosted by the local Summerland-Penticton TriPower Triathlon Club.
The concept behind McLennan’s Grit is to promote wellness, camaraderie, and friendly competition together in the great outdoors for a positive experience with colleagues, friends, students, teachers and, of course, families.
“This is an ideal event for so many people because everyone is welcome,” said Melissa Berrisford, race director and McLennan’s daughter. “Run or walk a lot, or a little; above all share the beauty of the outdoors with others and have fun! Both my parents, Fred and Sandra McLennan, will be participating in the event and we hope you will join us at the start line!”
Berrisford added, “We are about family participation so we are including a five-kilometre run at noon for the kids so that they can get in on the action and do a lap with friends or family.”
McLennan’s Grit will be held on June 16 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information on the race please contact Melissa Berrisford at bmelissa@telus.net. Interested parties can visit /mclennansgritultrarun.weebly.com and register for McLennan’s Grit at ultrasignup.com.