Vancouver Sun Run to go ahead: Organizer
Posted April 15, 2013 11:49 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Vancouver Sun Run is going ahead as scheduled but planners will be reviewing emergency procedures before the big event. Organizer Jamie Pitblado says he will be meeting with the city tomorrow to review the current emergency plan which he refers to as a “solid” one. Members of the Vancouver Police and Fire department will be there “to go through the plan again and look at what if anything might need to be adjusted or added to that plan.”
“If anything comes forward that should be [added], then we will make the necessary changes to ensure the safety and security of all of our participants,” says Pitblado.
He notes the large event which has been going on for 29 years always has emergency response personnel at designated sites. “We have traffic police, and police around the route to respond to emergencies, ambulance services on call and stationed strategically along the route, so they can get to any emergency quickly. We have bike doctors and medical personnel that can respond. Evacuation plans in place.”
He adds after 9-11, Sun Run organizers tweaked its security plans. Although he realizes many are disheartened by the tragedy, he’s encouraging people to still come out and have fun as he says “Don’t let the terrorists win!”
Security is also likely to be boosted at the Ottawa Race Weekend in May.
That event features more than 40-thousand runners for seven different races.
Canada will host several marathons over the next six weeks in cities including Calgary, Toronto, Halifax, Fredericton and London, Ontario.
