2009 marks the 29th running of the Calgary Police Half Marathon. Viewed by many as the first major run of the season, this run has a following like few others. Often the race becomes a true test of character with the ever changing weather conditions in Calgary. However, this r...un has only been cancelled once in its history due to deep snow.
The origins of the Calgary Police Half Marathon trace back to a conversation between two police officers out on a run together, late in the fall of 1979. They realized that half marathon races were fast becoming the standard in the running world and there wasn’t one in Calgary. Wanting to rectify this situation, they took their idea to the head of the police fitness unit, and together the group organized the first race, held on Sunday April 27, 1980. Little did they realize they had started something that would become a fixture of the Calgary road running scene.
That first race inn ‘79 started and finished at the Calgary Zoo parking lot with about 250 runners taking part. It was a very cold and blustery day and to provide some warmth for the runners, one of the organizers was able to obtain hot water and soup concentrate from the old General Hospital in Bridgeland. An important lesson learned – the next year the race started and finished close to Crescent Heights High School where shelter was provided pre and post race. read more
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