Going for a multi-kilometre run on a cool Saturday morning isn’t something most people would consider odd.
Doing it while taking 11 different breaks for a taste of beer, though, could be.
That’s exactly what more than 400 people did on Saturday, Oct. 14, as the Penticton Beer Run returned with costumes, laughs and good times in the name of celebrating everything local.
“This is a great representation of Penticton,” said Lyndie Hill from Hoodoo Adventures, the local business responsible for organizing the event. “The excitement around this is great…everyone’s in a good mood and so happy to be here.”
A total of 75 teams and several individuals took part in Saturday’s 10-kilometre run, which featured stops for 11 South Okanagan breweries, as well as for french fries, candy and water from Abandoned Rail Brewing off the KVR Trail to downtown Penticton.
Although nobody was keeping score on how fast each team completed the run, organizers said awards would be distributed for best costumes.
Hill said registration for this year’s event was up roughly 15 per cent, with one team even bringing along a whopping 65 members.
“The word is getting out, people tell everybody how awesome it is and then they bring their friends,” she said.
Along with Penticton’s eight breweries, special tents were also set up along the route for Oliver’s Firehall Brewery and Summerland’s Giant’s Head Brewing and Detonate Brewing Company.
The gathering marked one of the first events for the fifth annual Penticton Beer Week, which runs until Oct. 21.
“I think it’s such a great way to showcase what we have to offer and to make people aware of it,” Hill said.
On Thursday, Oct. 12, representatives from each of Penticton’s breweries gathered to unveil this year’s “Do Good” beverage in recognition of the week.
Kim Lawton from Cannery Brewing spoke to the Western News during Saturday’s run and said the beer — which was brewed at Yellow Dog in collaboration with all local breweries — has been well received by the public so far.
It can be found on tap locally and at select liquor stores across B.C., with proceeds set to go to the South Okanagan Similkameen SPCA.
READ MORE: Cheers to more than 20 events set for Penticton Beer Week