Kickstart Your Running Journey with Run for the Sun 10K Clinic
Looking for a way to make 2025 your healthiest and most fulfilling year? Jim Csek recently sat down with Christy Lovig and Angela Ivany, the passionate duo behind the Run for the Sun 10K Clinic, to explore how they are inspiring the community to embrace running.
KelownaNow had the pleasure of speaking with them about their mission to create a supportive and welcoming space for runners of all levels. For Christy, running is a lifelong passion. “I’ve been running competitively for 41 years and coaching for 30 of those,” she said. Angela’s story is different but equally inspiring. She started running 10 years ago under Christy’s guidance and has since embraced it as a lifestyle. “She got me hooked,” Angela laughed. “Now, my closest friends are people I’ve met through running.”
The 13-week program builds endurance through structured training, with participants running just three times a week. “People often think they need to run every day,” Christy said. “But three days a week is all it takes to see results.”
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned runner aiming to refine your time, this program meets participants where they are. Christy explained, “We’ve been running this clinic for about 12 or 13 years. It’s targeted at two specific groups: people who’ve never run before and those who want to improve their performance. It’s an intimidation-free environment.”
The clinic starts with the basics. Beginners run for just one minute at a time, gradually building endurance. Christy recounted, “So many people think, ‘I can’t run,’ because they try to do 5K on their first day and almost die. That’s not how you start.” For more experienced runners, the clinic offers advanced coaching to enhance speed and endurance. Participants train three days a week in a structured schedule of progressive building and recovery weeks.
Beyond fitness, the program fosters a vibrant sense of community. Angela reflected, “All of my closest friends are people I’ve met through running. The social aspect is huge.” Christy added, “Even though running is an individual sport, the community aspect is uplifting. Everyone is there to support each other.”
The clinic culminates in the Vancouver Sun Run, a 10K race with over 45,000 participants. “It’s less of a race and more of an event,” Christy shared. “The finish line is such a joyous moment. Seeing people achieve something they never thought possible is incredible.”
Registration is now open at RunKelowna.com for $149 CAD. Watch the full interview above to hear more about Christy and Angela’s experiences and the incredible benefits of joining the Run for the Sun 10K Clinic. This year, make running part of your journey to health and happiness.
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