For a 10th time, dozens of Tri-Cities residents are set to ascend — and descend — one of the region's most challenging trails.
The Coquitlam Crunch Diversity Challenge is returning for its milestone campaign on June 11 in hopes of raising funds for a Coquitlam Foundation grant that promotes inclusion.
And the online registration deadline for the Coquitlam Crunch stair climb event is fast-approaching, set for Wednesday (June 8).
A total of $20,000 has been raised by the challenge in its first nine years.
The money is put towards a Coquitlam Diversity Fund meant to help local non-profits celebrate "inclusion of social or economic activity" of groups identified as "being excluded."
This fundraiser has supported a range of initiatives, such as helping new immigrants, people with developmental delays, youth, seniors or people with physical disabilities to find work.
"On Aug. 29, 2010, starting at 6 am, Coquitlam resident and Safe Harbour co-ordinator Alexander Bell began to climb up and down the popular hiking trail, the Coquitlam Crunch, as many times as he could in one day, after teaming up with the Coquitlam Foundation to launch a Diversity Initiative Fund for Coquitlam," the Coquitlam Crunch Diversity Challenge's bio reads on its website.
"Bell’s goal was to raise $10,000 over five years so that the fund would begin to generate enough interest to start distributing annual grants within the Tri-Cities. That goal was achieved in 2015."
Interested participants and groups are encouraged to sign up for one of three events they wish to complete along the 4.5-kilometre trail loop:
- The Stair Master
- 8 to 8:30 a.m.
- Run up the 437 west stairs just above Lansdowne as quickly as possible
- Make It or Break It
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Walk or run up and down the 4.5-kilometre loop as many times as possible in a four-hour period
- Recreational Category
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Try to complete the Crunch at least once or twice in four hours
- For families, community groups and others who would like to support the event and/or pursue their own personal best
The challenge is also pet friendly as organizers say dogs on leashes are welcome to join.
St. John's Ambulance will also be on site during the event as it warns of some very steep sections that could pose physical challenges to some participants.
For more information, you can visit the Coquitlam Crunch Driversity Challenge's website.
Registration requires a $20 minimum donation and a tax receipt is available from the Coquitlam Foundation, but donors must provide a complete name and postal address to receive one.
