It’s the only event in Ladysmith where you can both warm and eat your buns at the same time.
It’s the Cinnamon Bun Fun Run, and on November 27, local residents will continue the annual tradition to raise donations and funds for the Ladysmith Food Bank.
Run co-coordinator John Mountain said the race, now in its seventh year, is a good way to kick off the upcoming holiday season with some exercise.
“This is an event where you prepare for Christmas – you know you’re going to be eating a whole pile of turkey, so here’s your chance to get out there and get ahead of the game,” he said.
“It’s also a time where we want to get the shelves of the food bank swelling.”
What started as a grassroots event with just 60 people has blossomed into a highly anticipated event pulling in well over 400 participants some years.
Run committee member Bruce Youngren said the organizing committee is very thankful for the support of local businesses, their 30+ volunteers and of course, the participants themselves.
Youngren said there has been an increase in family participation over the last few years.
“This is really about helping the food bank, but it’s just as importantly about literally putting the food on the table for those in greatest need in the community at Christmas,” he said.
Last year’s event saw approximately 300 participants, $3,900 raised in cash and 2,300 pounds of food donated to the food bank.
This year, 170 participants have already registered.
The Cinnamon Bun Fun Run is a five kilometre fairly flat route starting at Frank Jameson Community Centre. Eager runners can complete the loop twice for a 10k run.
The run is a predicted time run, meaning everyone can guess their finish time for a chance at cool prizes.
All you need to enter the run is a food bank donation, although monetary donations are accepted. All participants receive hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun at the finish line, as is tradition.
The run was started in 2004 by a group of friends known as the Ladysmith Striders, who gather on a weekly basis to run or walk together.
“We wanted to give back to the community,” Mountain said.
“We locked into the idea of cinnamon buns and hot chocolate so that’s what we decided to have. It’s gotten pretty popular.”
Participants should be prepared for any weather.
“We go rain or shine [or snow],” Mountain said.
To learn more or to register, visit http://www.cinnamonbunrun.com/