Pilgrimage Run - 2018
The Pilgrimage Run from Thetis Lake Park to the Prairie Inn Pub, event #3 of six Harriers 40th Anniversary Celebrations, was held on June 3 and featured 13 participants including 6 completing the full 12 Mile distance, 3 doing parts, 2 doing the 4 Mile Walk and 2 dogs. Gary led the 12 Mile team which included Binder Kelsall, John Atkinson, Andrew Pape-Salmon, Jeff Beddoes and Yuki Otsubo. In a family tag team Kathleen Birney joined them for the first 6 miles, and Paul Birney for the final 2 miles. Marcia Stromsmoe completed the 6 Mile route from West Saanich Road to the Prairie Inn solo while John McKay and Bob Reid did the 4 Mile Walk to and from Keating Cross Road with their 4-legged companions, Digger and Bebe. Bob also left for the others a giant arrow crafted from fallen branch pieces to a traditional short cut path off White Road. Part of the route along Oldfield was full with cyclists doing the half-iron. Encouragements were exchanged. Chris Kelsall assisted with transportation and joined the group for lunch at the P.I. Pub.
Event #1 of the Anniversary Celebrations, the Harriers Annual Awards Dinner, was held in March followed by the Harriers Easter Egg Hunt at Thetis Lake in April. Next up is the Harriers Family Fun Day at Matheson Lake on July 15, the Harriers 40-Year Reunion, BBQ/Picnic at McKenzie Lake on August 12 and the final event is the Hare 'n Hounds Run at Thetis Lake on September 3 (Labour Day).