Hungry Hungry Half Marathon to return at the end of the month

Get ready, food and philanthropy lovers, because Kelowna’s only food-themed run is gearing up to return for its fourth year!

The annual Hungry Hungry Half Marathon will once again conquer the Apple Bowl bright and early on Saturday, May 25.

Hosted in support of the Central Okanagan Food Bank, the annual fun run aims to keep the shelves of the vital community resource stocked year-round by providing a fun and family-friendly event for all athletic abilities.

“May is a slow time of year for the food bank," said race director Sarah Carson.

"Usually they are often thought about during the winter holidays and with the large influx of population we get here in the spring, a lot more people need to utilize its services.”

With the help of the organizing team, race participants and event sponsors, the Hungry Half has managed to raise an impressive $30,000 for the food bank since the inaugural event in 2016.

According to Carson, each dollar they raise is equivalent to three dollars' worth of product for the facility, so she is pushing to keep up the impressive work.

“We are doing a few new things this year to amp up the fundraising — in addition to registration proceeds going to the cause, our sponsor at EK’s Grill is offering anyone who brings them a physical or monetary donation 10% off for the month of May, and we are encouraging participants to donate when they pick up their race day packages,” she added.

The race welcomes one and all with a hunger for giving back and getting active to participate, no matter their skills, as it offers 5 kilometre, 10km and 20km route options as well as a 1km fun run for the little ones.

“Part of the fun of the event is that it's a great way for people to just try something like this out — it has less of a focus on who is going to win and more of one about everybody coming out to participate for a fun time and good cause,” said Carson.

The support of the food bank isn’t the only time that grub comes into play at the Hungry Half. The event encourages runners to dress up in food-themed attire and offers delicious treats like Timbits and freezies along the route.

Registration is already matching last year’s final count, and there is still time to secure your spot for this year! Click here to sign up for a morning of exercise, prizes, food and more, all for a great cause.