A new series of running races will hold its first event in Port Moody on Saturday, April 5.
The Royal Rocky Point five-kilometre race is part of the Kamino running series that is an evolution of a social running group with the same name started by Coquitlam runner Daniel Simpson.
He said he started the group because he couldn’t find like-minded athletes who shared his passion for running and socializing.
“The main running groups are based in Vancouver with high numbers and demand,” Simpson said. “I found it inconvenient to drive downtown during rush hour to a run group I may not fit into.”
Simpson named his effort after the Coquitlam street where he grew up, El Camino Drive.
The Kamino club started April 3, 2024, with Wednesday evening social runs.
Simpson said the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere of the weekly gatherings quickly attracted a large group of 50-90 runners each week.
In the year since, Simpson figures more than 600 unique runners have participated in the social runs as word spread through social media, the Strava training app, and word of mouth.
“The community has really evolved by people sharing… how and vibrant our running community is.”
Last December, Simpson put on his first race, the Rudolph Race in Coquitlam’s Mundy Park.
He said more than 150 runners braved the rain and cold to participate in the five-kilometre event through the 400-acre urban forest along with more than 35 kids who entered their own little race.
The Rudolph Race also raised $5,000 for the SHARE food bank.
Proceeds from the new Port Moody race will go to the city’s firefighters charitable society that also supports SHARE as well as the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation and the Crossroads Hospice Society.
Simpson said a large number of Port Moody’s firefighters will be among the 250-300 runners expected to sign up for the event.
The race itself starts at the Pajos Fish and Chips stand in Rocky Point Park and heads out along the new multi-use path on Murray Street before turning left at the railroad tracks and following the trail to the turnaround at Old Orchard Park. The return leg follows the same path back before branching off for the finishing stretch on Shoreline Trail when it branches off Murray to the finish line near the pier. There’s also a one-kilometre route for kids who can participate for free.
Simpson said the race is open to runners and even walkers. Registration is $45 and can be done online in advance or from 8-8:45 a.m. on race day.
📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in the Tri-Cities? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected].
📲 Want to stay updated on Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra news? Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
💬 Words missing in an article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
