Here’s why costumed runners were spotted across the city

It’s a time-honoured tradition that was started over 30 years ago by Woody Cross and Marty Kaufman.

And now, the Kelowna Running Club’s (KRC) annual Pub Relay has more meaning than ever before.

“Woody passed away six years ago,” event volunteer Dave Stirling told Kelowna10. “The last few years [have been] in Woody’s memory to keep his running spirit going.”

Saturday in Kelowna, teams of costumed runners hit the streets to take over bars across the city for the event.

Each team is given a secret map of the course with various pub checkpoints the morning of the race. The courses run around 5 to 8 km long.

Each segment of the race is completed by one team member, ending at a pub where a drink is waiting for them. Once the glass is empty, the next runner starts their leg.

Teammates are encouraged to follow runners in cars or on scooters and bikes to cheer them on.

“Most of our events throughout the year are pretty serious. They'll be races of various distances that you're trying to get your fastest time and you're trying to build throughout the season to improve your times,” KRC vice president Josh Wyatt said.

“At the end of the season, it's nice just to have an opportunity to relax, run whatever speed you want, be a bit silly, and just get together in a team with your friends and just enjoy ourselves basically.”

Prizes were awarded for best costumes, fastest drinker, and most accurate predicted finishing time rather than the fastest time overall.

The relay ended with everyone together in downtown Kelowna where they were met with food, refreshments, prizes, and an awards ceremony.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to a local charity.