Hello, on June 22nd 2014, you’ll be organizing the Banff Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
The marathon and half marathon courses start on the beautiful Bow Valley Parkway and continue along the Legacy trail and Vermilion Lakes road into the town of Banff. The races finish in Central Park, right beside the Bow River.
How old is the race and why was it created in the first place?
This is the first year for the Banff Marathon and Half Marathon. The 2013 edition was cancelled after devastating floods in Southern Alberta. Banff National Park is a spectacular natural setting for outdoor activities, and this offers visitors the opportunity to experience the park in a fun, active and educational manner.
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What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The Banff Marathon is unique in that participants will flow through a series of incredible natural, wildlife and historical stages. Each stage will represent a different chapter of the Bow Valley Parkway’s story, with icons representing the significance and importance of the natural surroundings.
How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
The Marathon is limited to 1,500 runners, with a high demand to participate. We expect everybody from elite athletes, to first-time race runners.
Do you organize other races during the Weekend? If so, on what distances?
There will be a short-distance fun run for kids on the day before the Marathon, in Banff’s Central Park.
At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
Historically, June has brought temperatures as high as 20 degrees to Banff. Weather in the mountains can be quite unpredictable, and can change without notice so we advise participants to be prepared for any conditions.
Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
There will be an expo set up in Central Park, in the Marathon and Half Marathon finishing area. The Town of Banff is already buzzing with activity at that time of year, so there are plenty of activities for participants and visitors.
The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Banff before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
There are so many great places to go and things to see in and around Banff that we could never list them all! A great starting point for first time visitors would be the Banff Lake Louise Tourism website and the Banff National Park website.
In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Banff Marathon?
The Banff Marathon and Half Marathon will offer runners the experience of a lifetime with breathtaking scenery as well as 16 interpretative learning opportunities through Canada’s oldest National Park.
Interview with Paul Regensburg, Race Director. Paul works for LifeSport Coaching, an industry-leading coaching company that helps amateur and professional athletes from around the world develop to the next level and achieve their goals. LifeSport also runs the Subaru Western Triathlon Series, which includes the Subaru Banff Triathlon in September.