By Ethan Ready

Historic Race

47-year run comes to an end for Labour Day Classic… for now

Sep 2, 2020 | 4:50 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It was a good run, 47 years to be exact.

Since 1974, the Labour Day Classic has taken place each and every year in Prince George. However, due to COVID-19, this year’s event was cancelled back in April when the Prince George Roadrunners cancelled their entire road race series for the year.

The 47th Labour Day Classic was originally scheduled to be taking place on Sunday, September 8, 2020.

Back in 2018, the runners took on the race in order to keep it from folding with the 2019 edition, and the 46th instalment of the event, being the first official event ran under the Roadrunners’ banner.

“I mean, it’s a similar impact to anything else that’s been cancelled this year to that we’re not able to gather as a community,” explained Gillian Roberts, Vice President of the Prince George Roadrunners.

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“We’re not able to gather as a running community, we’re not able to come together and celebrate what the Labour Day Classic is and the amazing history that the Labour Day Classic holds with Terry Fox, and him running it back in 1979.”

The historic tradition of the event, being originally referred to as the Prince George to Boston Marathon, as well as it serving as a training ground for Terry Fox ahead of his marathon of hope, the event not running this year makes it harder to share that story and legacy.

“We’re just happy that we’re able to still talk about it in some shape or form to keep the history alive so that when we return next year, hopefully, people will be able to understand why this race is so special.”

As for the future of the event, like many events, its a troubling time to even try to plan ahead with so much uncertainty with the pandemic.

“Just like any other organization or club, we’re just trying our best to work with our volunteers and communicate and just trying to do our best to follow whatever protocols may come our way. It’s just really hard to know that right now. In March and April, when we’re ready to start our next race series, what will that look like and what barriers might we be encountering together as a society, we just have no idea.”

While the race series may be cancelled, Roberts says the PG Roadrunners have recently restarted their weekly group run schedule with a few safety requirements and a membership is required.

The group hopes to add more group run sessions in the near future.