Sports
A Dixon Dragon competed in the high jump at the 49th annual BC Elementary Track and Field Championships at Minoru Park.
Photo by Chung Chow
50th B.C. elementary track meet on tap
Fifty years ago, a group of local track and field enthusiasts decided elementary school-aged kids should have their own provincial meet. Their vision has become one of the largest meets on the continent.
From May 25 to 27, some 1,600 kids will
gather at Richmond’s Minoru Park to partake in the golden anniversary of the
annual B.C. Elementary School Track and Field Championships.
“We are hoping a new and festive atmosphere
will contribute to the excitement around the event,” says event head Garrett
Collier.
Head coach of the Richmond Kajaks Track and
Field Club which is co-ordinating the meet, Collier himself has fond memories
of participating as an athlete.
“What I remember most vividly is realizing I
wasn’t going to be a 100-metre sprinter anymore,” he told The Richmond Sentinel
at last year’s meet. “Coming in third, I understood I wasn’t the fastest guy,
but it was a great learning process because it taught me there was always going
to be someone faster.”
That inspired Collier to instead try his hand
at throwing. He didn’t just become a proficient hammer thrower, but under the
guidance of his late father Richard one of Canada’s best. He went on to win
many provincial and junior awards, and earned a scholarship to the University
of California-Berkeley. He later coached at the University of Hawaii, before
returning to his Richmond roots.
Volunteers have always been at the core of
the elementary championships, and this year is no exception.
“Without our volunteers, none of this would be possible,” stressesCollier.
The meet traditionally features a large
presence from Richmond schools, but organizers hope to build on this for 2018.
The event was created to provide young track
and field athletes with a fun and safe competitive experience. All elementary
school-aged athletes are welcome to participate, regardless if they are new or
experienced in the sport. And they do not have to represent their school to
enter the meet. Kajaks is offering an early-bird entry fee of $7.50 per event.
“The kids can expect music, limited edition
official merchandise, a new medal design and a great environment to compete and
have a great time,” says Collier.
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