Jog for the Bog 2017 was a success!
The sun was peeking through her blinds. Lauren Wolfe, the Event Coordinator for Jog for the Bog, made sure her alarm went off at the crack of dusk for the biggest Burns Bog event of the summer.
The Burns Bog Conservation Society staff has worked tirelessly for several weeks leading up to the event. With a 6:30 am start time, Lauren was determined to lead the Society staff in ensuring that this was the best Jog for the Bog yet!
The early hours of the morning consisted of carrying tables, chairs, signage, and a plethora of essential items across the Planet Ice parking lot. The volunteers’ extra hands and willingness to help made work easier.
As registration opened at 8:00 am, the Jog was in full swing. Participants, speakers, and performers were arriving at the event, and exhibitors began setting up their tents.
Lauren looked around and breathed a sigh of relief. The participants are excited to start their run, and speakers and performers were getting ready just in time for their sets.
The Burns Bog Conservation Society staff would like to thank Steve Erickson, Sports Broadcaster for the Delta Cable, who emceed the event. He introduced Sunni Yoga, who made sure the participants were pumped up and ready to go before their run. He also introduced the amazing performers, Joshua Job and rapper Rob Martirosian. Joshua Job’s exquisite vocal range captivated the crowd, while Rob Martirosian’s original lyrics provoked the joggers’ minds.
Mr. Erickson also announced speakers Carla Qualtrough, Delta’s Member of Parliament (MP) and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, as well as Ravi Kahlon, North Delta’s MLA and BC’s Parliamentary Secretary for Sport & Multiculturalism. They embody the values of sportsmanship and inclusion; values that the Burns Bog Conservation Society upholds at all their events.
Beyond the stage, many kinds of people helped in ensuring the event flowed smoothly. Louie Maione of CCC, also known as the “King of Cones,” made sure that the participants did not lose their way during the race. Running Room supplied the runners’ bibs and TRIO Events oversaw the participants’ run times. Metro Vancouver set up a booth for families to learn about Burns Bog. Vector bars, generously donated by Marty Wanless, and Cobs Bread scones were available for participants to eat before the race. De Dutch served hot pancake breakfasts after the joggers arrived at the finish line. Without the help of these organizations, the joggers would not have enjoyed the event nearly as much as they could have.
The Burns Bog Conservation Society values all who came together to make the event fun and enjoyable. By participating in Jog for the Bog, you are helping us protect Burns Bog from development. You are helping us fund our education programs, such as the Summer Day Camps, the Stepping Into Nature Festival, and our various tour guides. Because of you, we can protect Burns Bog and create a clean, sustainable present and future, for you and your children. Thank you, and we hope to see you next year!
