Race Date 2008 has changed
Why it happened...
The date of this year’s race has changed from the first posting after last year’s run. We had gone to the Council of the Skidegate Nation and asked for the date for their “Skidegate Days” event so that we could undertake our planning. They gave us the date of July 19, 2008.
However, the community has seen many changes in this past year: The Chief Skidegate died this past spring; A new council was elected, and all but two members are new. There were many other focuses that the council has had to deal with such as the new Land Use plan for the islands signed with the province and others; the grand opening of the Heritage centre being set back; and then their new date was in conflict with the “Home Coming”, an event that sees the children in care come home to Haida Gwaii for a visit.
So much was done and redone they just forgot about our little Marathon. They changed the date of “Skidegate Days” to please people in the community holding various other community events. They did this and just forgot to tell us.
We understand how hard so many of you have trained and worked towards planning your trip to this place, this race and we apologize for the change. We have come to learn the need to communicate with all involved. I took the news very hard myself for it changed all of my plans. Looking at the alternatives, we have decided to go with the new date and have taken this opportunity to ensure the council will never again make such a change. We are comforted that we did not have hundred of registrations.
This is our third year and like many marathoners we have stumbled on this third race. It is clearly not our personal best but a lesson for our future.
The article published yesterday in the Canadian Geographic (July/August 2008 issue, page 31) has got the date correct because it made the assumption that we would run the race on Skidegate days scheduled for July 26, 2008. We are happy about the magazine article and hope that you too will be pleased with your opportunity to ride in the Loo Taas.
As we grow we are likely to make more mistakes but I assure you this one will not be repeated I hope that there never is one as big as this.
For those who have put off your plans until next year we understand.
David Seymour