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One Track Mind relay event. Photo: Harsh Gulati<\/p>\nRunning parties have been popping up around the world, and Calgary now has one of its own. One Track Mind, a three-hour running relay that doubles as a dance party, returns to the Calgary Olympic Oval on Saturday, Nov. 7, and runners are showing their enthusiasm. All 48 teams sold out in just two days, with more than 250 runners expected to take part.<\/p>\n
One Track Mind relay event. Photo: Harsh Gulati<\/p>\n
Teams take turns running laps of the Oval\u2019s 450-metre indoor track, completing as many as they like over three hours. A live DJ keeps the music going, and runners can dance, cheer on their teammates or hang out between turns. There are no prizes for the fastest team or the most laps completed, although some teams still get pretty competitive.<\/p>\n
Organizer Jeff Shikaze, an Edmonton native who now lives in Calgary, came up with the idea after years of organizing community fitness events. A marathon runner himself, he was inspired by some of the more unusual running events out there, including the Bandit Grand Prix and lululemon\u2019s SeaWheeze<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to host a fundraiser in support of Alzheimer\u2019s, but I also wanted to create something unique to the Calgary running scene,\u201d he told Canadian Running. \u201cI think we did just that.\u201d<\/p>\n Leave your watch at home<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s inaugural event had 38 teams and around 175 runners, with a live DJ and local vendors adding to the party. While Shikaze had hoped for a high-energy atmosphere, he was pleasantly surprised by how much fun everyone seemed to have when they weren\u2019t running. Instead of wandering off between their turns, runners stuck around the relay exchange area, dancing and cheering as teammates came in to hand off their turn.<\/p>\n \u201cThey just had a great time dancing and cheering on the runners. It became the focal point of the whole event. They didn\u2019t leave for three whole hours!\u201d he said. Shikaze has adjusted this year\u2019s layout to make more room for that part of the event, adding an aid station, a better DJ setup and improved lighting and special effects. Runners from around the city will be represented in full force, with more than 10 Calgary run crews attending, along with sponsorship from local running businesses that help make fundraising possible.<\/p>\n Of course, some teams still want to see how many laps they can rack up. Shikaze has deliberately avoided offering prizes for the fastest runners, though. \u201cI love that some teams go fast, and I love that there are just as many teams who have a great time and dance the night away.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Running for his grandmothers<\/p>\n Shikaze lost both of his grandmothers to Alzheimer\u2019s disease and created One Track Mind to raise money for research. \u201cI think my grandmothers would be super proud,\u201d he said. \u201cObviously the event is in their honour and helps fight this horrible disease, but I\u2019ve also done it in a way that combines my passion for running with my passion for hosting community events and bringing people together.\u201d<\/p>\n The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories<\/a> estimates that more than 62,000 people in the region are currently living with dementia. That number is expected to grow considerably, with Alberta projected to see a 286 per cent increase in people living with dementia between 2020 and 2050. Last year, One Track Mind raised more than $5,000, and organizers hope to double that to $10,000 this year. Teams can fundraise or donate to the cause, and all proceeds will support the Society\u2019s Hope for Tomorrow program, which funds research into Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other dementias.<\/p>\n How to get involved<\/p>\n One Track Mind takes place Saturday, Nov. 7, from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Calgary Olympic Oval. The relay is open to adults 18 and older, and team registration is already sold out.<\/p>\n For more details, head to the One Track Mind Instagram account, here<\/a>, or make donations here.<\/a>Those interested in supporting Alzheimer\u2019s research can also visit the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories.<\/a><\/p>\n