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Volume 115, Issue 12
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
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2022 Hardisty Invitational X-Country attracts incredible 625 runners and over 20 schools Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Hardisty Invitational CrossCountry Race celebrated its 48th year last Thursday, Sept. 15, but only its 47th run. It’s a legacy for Hardisty, and Bill Kropinske, retired teacher, has been involved in it for at least 40 of those years, along with his wife Bev, says this year’s co-organizer Brittany MacMillan. This year 625 runners registered on paper, with not all able to make it, but some also registering on the day. That’s a lot of runners, she says; in 2017 there were over 600. This year’s event was slightly different from previous races, taking place during the school day, when it used to start later. This year’s run had perfect weather, with a light wind to cool the racers, and sunny skies. MacMillan says the race takes place on the trails behind the school, the traditional Invitational trails, and not the new hiking trails. Different age groups run different
distances with Grades 1 through 6 running 1.5km; Grades 7, 8, and 9 running 2.2 km, and High School and Open competitors running 4.4 km, or two loops of the track. This year there were 17 heats between all the different age groups. MacMillan says the race has always been its own event, not dependent on Allan Johnstone School, or the Battle River School Division, although it is one of four events in a series of cross country running events. MacMillan says, “It’s a legacy for Hardisty.” She says it wouldn’t have happened without the support of the various parent groups over the years, other volunteers and sponsors, and without Kropinske, who has been at the core of it for many years. “He’s been doing this for more 40 years; there’s so much in his head. “Bill wants to retire, he says, and hand it over to me,” MacMillan says, adding that she hopes that if she agrees he will still want to stay involved and help her learn the nuances to a hosting successful race,
as well as introduce her to the incredible connections he’s made over the past four decades. “Those are some big shoes to fill, but I will take it over. I don’t want to see it die at all.” She enjoyed herself a lot this year, and hopes that all the contestants did as well. “I felt good, it was really fun. “For my family, this year was the third generation of runners. My mom ran, I ran, and this year my daughter ran.” MacMillan said the key to the race’s success lies in the incredible team of volunteers that help out each year, and she can’t send enough thanks their way. All around it was a great day for the runners, and a great day for Hardisty, to play host to so many young visitors, she says. Runners crested a steep hill near the finish line of the race, which ranged from 1,500 metres to 4,400 metres, depending on your age group. This runner from Central High had a big smile on her face as she approached the end of the race.
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
The Hardisty Invitational X-Country 2022 event was a huge success, with over 20 schools participating and 625 runners registered at the raceʼs start. Even the weather cooperated as students from Grades 1 to 12 from all around the east central Alberta region competed in the first cross country event of the season. This was the 48th year the Hardisty Invitational has been around. Above: Junior High students from all around the region set out on their 2,200m run. See more pics and local results P10.