Why the Blackfoot?
This race is to benefit runners who want to run a quality trail ultramarathon race in the Edmonton area. It was organized to allow runners to find out about this jewel just east of Edmonton called the Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation area. This provincial recreation area has 85 km of trails which can be used by runners, mountain bikers, horseback riding and cross country skiing. It is the home of the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival which is held in early February. What can we say! We love this park and the staff who do a great job managing this hidden treat and this is where we have a little bit of a dilemna. We keep it our secret and very few of you runners will know it is out here or we organize a race and tell everybody that will listen “Who needs to go to the mountains when you have this!”
Friends of the Blackfoot
The group that the Blackfoot Ultra supports is the “Friends of Blackfoot”. This group of dedicated volunteers and Park staff keep the trails in top shape during all seasons of the year. If you want to know who they are go to Waskahegan Staging area (Range Road 210) and drop in to the interpretive centre during the weekends. We know they are always looking for new volunteers. Since the race started we have the pleasure of donating almost $10,000 to this worthwhile group and hope to do more of the same again this year.
