In celebration of the upcoming holiday season and as a way to generate awareness and funds for the popular Cataraqui Trail, the Friends of the Cataraqui Trail are organizing and hosting its first-ever Rudolph Run/Walk.
Hikers are encouraged to gather their family and friends (who are in their COVID-19 bubble) and register for a fun day out in nature on the picturesque trail. The fundraising run/walk will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21 and participants can choose from two kilometre and five kilometre options or participate by just raising funds. There will be three start/finish sites along the Cataraqui Trail itself for participants to register under teams. In Napanee the trail starts near the westernmost trailhead at Camden East (County Rd. 4). In Kingston participants will depart from the trail entrance on Highway 38 in Harrowsmith. Those wanting to take part in Sydenham can start at the kiosk at the corner of Bedford and Portland, across from the Foodland.
The run/walk will feature staggered start times of 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon, with no more than 20 participants per time slot to allow for physical distancing. Registration is required and each registrant must be at least 18 years of age, although members of their group, family, or ‘bubble’ can be any age. The registration is $35 per group and each member will receive a fun Rudolph inspired facemask. Once registered participants can raise funds for their team via the online donation page at www.crca.ca/rudolphrun. The participant who raises the most from each team (Napanee, Kingston, Sydenham) will win a Cataraqui Conservation Annual Pass that will give them entry to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area for one year.
The Rudolph Run/Walk will follow all current COVID-19 pandemic protocols as outlined by provincial and local public health officials, meaning appropriate social distancing measures will be in place, and participants will be required to wear a mask where physical distancing is not possible and at the registration table.
For further details and registration visit www.crca.ca/registration. To donate to a team, visit www.crca.ca/rudolphrun.
The Cataraqui Trail is a year-round 104 km non-motorized trail that contains a variety of geographical features and has a historical past. Built upon the former CN rail line, the multi-use trail runs east to west and passes through a number of communities including Smiths Falls, Portland, Chaffey’s Locks, Sydenham, Harrowsmith and Napanee. The recreational trail is used by cyclists, runners, horseback riders, snowmobilers (with a valid OFSC permit), cross-country skiers, hikers, walkers, and all who enjoy nature appreciation and wildlife viewing.
The Friends of the Cataraqui Trail advocates for the sustainability, enjoyment, and stewardship of the Cataraqui Trail. The group helps maintain the trail, offers programming, and promotes public awareness of the amenities of the popular trail running through the heart of the Cataraqui watershed. To learn more about the trail and the work of the Friends visit www.cataraquitrail.ca.