Attention Tri-Cities endurance and outdoor enthusiasts!
On June 10, it’s time to test your mettle and battle your way to the top in the annual Coquitlam Crunch Challenge, sponsored by Nexus Insurance Brokers. This year, there are four fun events to choose from: a Sprint the Stairs event, 8 km run, 4-hour endurance event, and the ever-popular recreational division.
This year’s event will raise money for two charities: The Coquitlam Foundation, which aims to enhance the community's quality of life by building a growing endowment to support various initiatives through collaborative efforts with volunteers, businesses, and local government, and KidSport Tri-Cities, which provides grants for kids from families facing financial barriers to help cover the cost of their sport registration fee so they can experience the joy of a season of sport
The Coquitlam Crunch Trail is a 2.2 km-long trail that is known for its steep incline sections and beginner-friendly terrain. As the only community-based athletics event allowed on the trail, the Coquitlam Crunch Challenge is THE local endurance challenge and a fantastic opportunity to not only test your fitness, but hang out with the community, make new friends, and enjoy all the beautiful scenery the Lower Mainland offers. Bring the kids, bring the dogs, the event is family-friendly and a great opportunity to spend time outdoors with fellow Coquitlam residents.
“The City of Coquitlam calls it Coquitlam’s (less intense) equivalent to the Grouse Grind. It's about 2.2 km uphill along the BC Hydro powerline area. It's a community event that we're running to give back to the community, get people out and active and raise money for two local great charities,” says Ken Addison, President of Nexus Insurance.
Originally founded in 2010 by Alex Bell and Laurel Lawson, the Coquitlam Crunch Diversity Challenge kicked off as an event to support the Community Diversity Fund, which helps support marginalized groups in Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities and areas. However, like many similar events, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the challenge to be placed on hold — that is until it was revived by Ken Addison, the president of Nexus Insurance, in 2022.
“We took over the event last year, and it went really well. We had the largest turnout out of all the events,” says Addison.
Established by an Act of the B.C. Legislature in 1992, The Coquitlam Foundation envisions a community enhanced by the contributions of residents and organizations towards endowment funds that benefit a broad range of eligible organizations. The registered charity provides a vehicle for compassionate citizens to build enduring legacies.
The Coquitlam Crunch Challenge and 8K Run attracts a diverse group of participants, but the target demographic is typically fitness enthusiasts and runners who reside in the Tri-Cities and Burnaby, in addition to Pitt Meadows, Surrey, and Maple Ridge. Whether you’re training for similar endurance events, full or half marathons, or simply enjoy a challenging run up a mountain, with this event, runners, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone keen enough to take it on can make a positive impact on the community while also challenging themselves both physically and mentally.
Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, the Coquitlam Crunch Challenge is the perfect way to challenge yourself and make a difference in your community. Battle your way up the incline of the Coquitlam Crunch Trail, hang out with your neighbours, enjoy the gorgeous scenery, and support some great causes at the same time.
Sign up now at coquitlamcrunch.com for the challenge, and start preparing!
