Run, Eat Bacon, And Raise Money for Kelowna's Homeless

The bacon was hot, sizzling, and ready to be eaten. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

It's quite likely the first in Canada, and it smelled amazing.

The Great Canadian Bacon Chase had a fantastic turnout Saturday morning as people flocked to the smell of sizzling bacon. The 5 km run (or 0.05 km saunter, if you went with that choice) was to raise money for Inn From the Cold. This charity gives overnight shelter to Kelowna's homeless during the coldest months in the year and is also creating a housing project to help men with chronic homelessness.

Noses ready, these participants were ready to sniff out the trail of bacon. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

Kevin Lavigne was the organizer, and he laughs when he thinks of how the event began. “This was just so wild and wacky,” he said. They wanted to create a community event, and this idea stuck for its originality. Though a couple of bacon runs have happened in the United States, this was the first that the organizers could find in Canada.

After they had enough runners to cover costs, they partnered with Inn From the Cold to raise money for that charity. Organizers were originally hoping for 40-50 people, but after a few last minute sign-ups, they actually ended up with close to 275 participants. The 350 pounds of bacon for the event were donated by the B.C. Pork Association, and all proceeds went directly to Inn From the Cold.

Participants ran from Michaelbrook Golf Course down Mission Creek Greenway. In addition to the bacon at the starting line, there were five bacon stations along the way to keep runners' spirits strong. Participants also received t-shirts and pig noses to dress in style.

The real question is—do they have leftovers?

Some runners even had special bacon socks for the event. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

These runners are raring to go at the starting line. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

Young and old like helping charity—and eating bacon. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)