Take a bite out of winter

St. Boniface

Norwood Flats

Kingston Crescent

Riverview

Fort Garry

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/01/2023 (714 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s fair to say that one landmark local winter event has a bit of bite.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Frost Bite River Run at Riverview Community Centre.

The event — which forms part of the Riverview Winter Classic — will be held on Sun., Jan. 22, and will include five-mile and five-kilometre events, which will start at 10 a.m. The centre is located at 90 Ashland Ave.

The event is a fundraiser that supports programming and activities at RCC. The winter classic is a series of outdoor events held in January and February at the centre intended to embody and celebrate the spirit of winter sports in the neighbourhood.

As well as the potential prestige and bragging rights that come with winning such an event, participants in the volunteer-driven Frost Bite River Run will also have the chance to win a prizes, a medal, snag running-related swag, as well as being fed before and after the race.

Noting that the event was previously held by the Manitoba Runners Association before the south Winnipeg-based centre took over hosting duties a decade ago, race director Dennis Cunningham said the event provides a great opportunity for the community to come together and embrace the Winnipeg winter.

“It’s a pretty unique running event,” said Cunningham, a Riverview resident who is a longtime RCC board member and past-president. “It covers running on the road, and when conditions allow, the river trail. It’s interesting, because most people are used to running on roads, so when they get out onto the river, it adds a whole new dimension. It’s a great community event.”

The centre’s website includes links to routes on the Nestaweya River Trail that have been used in the past, as well as alternate routes encompassing the Churchill Parkway area. Depending on the route, stops can be as far north as St. Boniface and as far south as Kingston Crescent — from the perspective of the east side of the river.

Of course, any outdoor event being held during the winter in Winnipeg is inevitably at the mercy of Mother Nature. Cunningham said there have been times when the river trail isn’t open, which has meant a shorter course.

“You never know what you’re going to get. We’re a well-oiled machine, and we have a great group of core volunteers,” he said.

A keen runner himself, Cunningham will be too busy on this occasion to take part, although he was able to work up a sweat when the Frost Bite River Run was held virtually, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What I really love about this is that Winnipeg has a really strong running community. I know pretty much everyone who has signed up, so it’s like seeing family come back again and again. It’s a really positive experience,” Cunningham said.

“The first year we held it, the weather was insane — it was minus forty with zero visibility, and yet lots of runners said, ‘I’m all over this,’ and they embraced the challenge. It’s a tight-knit community. It takes a certain type of runner who wants to run in the dead of winter. But I get it.”

He said the event draws individuals from across the city, but also from Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Steinbach — even Ontario. As well, it has attracted people visiting friends in the city through the years. One of its early winners was an exchange student from Spain, who attended the University of Manitoba. Another was a mountain biker from England.

Cunningham said capacity is capped at about 150 runners. Online registration closes at the end of Jan. 20. If there are still spots available, participants will be able to register on the morning of the event, although that’s subject to change.

Go online at riverviewcc.ca, email frostbiteriverrun@shaw.ca or call the centre at 204-452-9944 for more information.

Longtime event sponsors are Chaeban Ice Cream and A Phase Electrical.