Fort Langley half marathon marks 23-year streak with 700 runners
Roger Antoniazzi has run every edition since the race's inception as participants from six countries gathered for the sold-out event.
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Fort Langley's historic half marathon and 5K drew 700 runners on Sunday, marking the 23rd edition of a race that has become a fixture in the Fraser Valley running calendar.
Roger Antoniazzi, a 65-year-old Surrey resident who just retired, has run every single edition since the race began 23 years ago. "I'm the only guy who's run this race right from the inception, back when it started, 23 years ago," Antoniazzi told the Langley Advance Times. He's aiming to reach 25 editions, saying "I'm going to keep the record going as long as I can. I'm feeling good, so hopefully we can get to 25 anyways." Antoniazzi credited his long commitment to his love of running and his support for Peninsula Runners, the race host. "It's a great running club and it's a great race. One of the best half marathons around."
Participants ranged in age from 16 to 79, with runners coming from as far as Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and Switzerland. Most were from the surrounding region: Langley, Surrey, Abbotsford, and Maple Ridge.
Event organizer Bea Dizon, Peninsula Runners Langley store manager, said the race requires months of planning, including permits from the Township and Fort Langley National Historic Site. Many runners are first-time racers, Dizon noted. "A lot of our runners here, whether it's half or 5K, this is their first race and it's in a local community, that's why they want to support it."
Presented by Peninsula Runners and Brooks Running Co., the event is Langley's original half marathon and the only half marathon in the Fraser Valley running entirely on roads.
