THE Skeena Valley Runners Club is back up and running. Literally.
The once-thriving running club from the 1980s all but fizzled out by the late 2000s.
But local runners Brent Webb, Stacey Primosch and Joe Pelletier have now revived the club.
The three started hosting group runs through the Skeena Valley Runners Facebook page, which has since grown to nearly 250 online members. As many as 65 or 70 different runners have joined them at various times.
Group runs, held Sundays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. from Ferry Island, are for all ages and abilities and are designed to be social.
A beginners group does a run/walk program through the trails of Ferry Island, while the main group does the iconic bridges loop at a conversational pace.
Often that sees the group break into two sub-groups, one running at a pace of 6:00 per kilometre and the other at a pace of 7:00 per kilometre.
More serious runners use the Facebook group daily to find running partners that best fit their ability and training plans. Trail runners can find safety in back-country company. It is a great chance to learn from the many talented athletes in the area.
Thanks to the group runs the runners met Adrienne Kaul and Eric McCormick, both of whom have extensive experience with running clubs in other parts of the country.
They have helped turn the club into a non-profit organization that is now seeking grants and sponsorship opportunities. The goal is to host running events in Terrace possibly as early as this fall.
For more information stop by the Skeena Valley Runners tent at the Kitsumkalum Salmon Run on June 25 or visit www.skeenarunners.com.