2012 marks the 32nd running of the Calgary Police Half Marathon. Viewed by many as the first major run of the season, this run has a following like few others. Often the race becomes a true test of character with the ever changing weather conditions in Calgary. However, this run has only been cancelled once in its history due to deep snow.
The origins of the Calgary Police Half Marathon trace back to a conversation between two police officers out on a run together, late in the fall of 1979. They realized that half marathon races were fast becoming the standard in the running world and there wasn’t one in Calgary. Wanting to rectify this situation, they took their idea to the head of the police fitness unit, and together the group organized the first race, held on Sunday, April 27, 1980. Little did they realize they had started something that would become a fixture of the Calgary road running scene.
That first race in ‘79 started and finished at the Calgary Zoo parking lot with about 250 runners taking part. It was a very cold and blustery day and to provide some warmth for the runners, one of the organizers was able to obtain hot water and soup concentrate from the old General Hospital in Bridgeland. An important lesson learned – the next year the race started and finished close to Crescent Heights High School where shelter was provided pre and post race.
As race participation increased so did the need for larger venues. Subsequent races were run from the MacKay Road School, Bowness High School and now Mount Royal University.
In 2006, a 5km Run & Walk was added to the event tying into the Calgary Police Service’s focus on healthy lifestyles.
The organizing committee for the Half Marathon is made up of volunteers from the sworn and civilian ranks of the Calgary Police Service as well as members of the community at large. The Calgary Police Half Marathon has donated tens of thousands of dollars to worthy causes over the years.
The true strength of the Calgary Police Half Marathon is the mutual desire of police and members of the community to come together at a fun and safe athletic festival to raise money for this worthy charitable cause. This ideal has resonated strongly with Calgary’s Tech Shop – one of the run’s main sponsors since the event’s inception.
The goal of the Calgary Police Half Marathon Committee has always been to provide a premier race. Attention to detail and the quality of the performance awards and race give-aways have contributed greatly to the popularity of the race.
The Calgary Police Service is a proud and enthusiastic sponsor of the Calgary Police Half Marathon. The Service sees this event as just one more way to foster positive relationships with the citizens of our community.
