Achi news desk-
As adult runners prepare for the Servus Calgary Marathon on Sunday, May 26, some pint-sized competitors took part in another race on Saturday. The Wee Wild Ones Diaper Dash saw 64 babies and toddlers race down a 42.2-foot-long racetrack at GMC Stadium at Stampede Park.
“The plan was to crown four winners but it was total chaos, so I don’t know if we can even pick four because they were back and forth, it was a lot of fun,” said Kirsten Fleming of Run Calgary.
The carpet course was designed to protect little hands and knees, and small pylons helped keep the competitors on track.
Excited parents waved toys and cheered on their little ones as they waited at the finish line to win it.
“This was great, just seeing her interact, she loves watching people, so watching the older kids was fun too,” said Shar Fernandes, mother of nine-month-old Celeste.
“It’s been a great experience,” he added, “We’ll definitely do it again next year.”
Each participant went home with a custom race bib and bragging rights. Organizers say they hope this is the start of a love of sport and an active life.
“These are the marathoners of the future, so we’re building the pipeline,” Fleming said. “Today they are crawling and 20 years from now they hope to run a marathon.”
The Wee Wild Ones Diaper Dash was billed as the inaugural event, but there was actually a similar event in Calgary decades ago.
