Local runners and wetland enthusiasts braved both heat and humidity last weekend to take part in the Burns Bog Conservation Society’s 19th annual Jog for the Bog.
Held every year to coincide with International Bog Day, the event aims to raise awareness of the important role that peatlands play for all species and ecosystems, and the threats they continue to face.
This year’s event saw about 125 people take to the paths of the Delta Nature Reserve on Sunday, July 24 to participate in either a 5K or 10K run in support of the society and in celebration of the bog.
Sisters Elaine and Amanda O’Connor decided to take part in the jog, as Elaine joked, “because we’re from Ireland and it had the word bog in it.”
“We’re visiting a friend of ours for two weeks so we said we’d do something fit and active and local for the community while we’re here,” Amanda said.
The event was Elaine’s first ever race and Amanda’s first outside of Ireland. The sisters said they enjoyed the run and would do it again.
“Ask me again in another 10 minutes; I never want to run again after I finish a race,” Amanda joked. “But yeah, I’d recommend it.”
This year’s event was also Andrew McColl and Jill Hingston’s first time jogging for the bog. McColl, who is currently training with Hingston to take part in the Illinois Marathon next April in Champaign, Illinois, said he enjoyed the run and would definitely do it again next year.
“It was great scenery [and] nice trails,” McColl said. “It’s a great kind of intro between regular races and all-terrain races such a Spartan [Race]; you got a [few] hills, we had a couple trees we had to jump over, but it’s mostly off-road. It was nice.”
Sharron Ho was the top female finisher in the 10K race with a time of 56:05, while Ken Hignell was the top male finisher with a time of 49:58.
In the 5K race, Sophie Worsley led the women with a time of 25:40 and Greg Worsley led the men with a time of 26:06.
The event also featured a 5K youth race, with Melissa Stevens and Trevor Truelove finishing first in their categories, turning in times of 33:17 and 32:14, respectively.
For full results, visit trioevents.ca.