Lace Up For Literacy - Fernie, B.C. | Fernie, BC, Canada

About the Event

The Lace Up For Literacy - Fernie, B.C. is a community-focused 5K walk and run scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026. Hosted at Annex Park, this event serves as a key fundraiser for the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL), an organization that provides free literacy and lifelong learning programs across the Columbia Basin and Boundary regions. The event encourages people of all ages to engage in physical activity while supporting educational initiatives that benefit the local community.

Category	Inclusions	Registration Deadline	Participation Type
Adult/Youth (Standard)	Official Event T-Shirt	Early April	In-Person 5K
Adult/Youth (Basic)	Race Entry Only	Late April	In-Person 5K
Children (Under 12)	Community Entry	Late April	In-Person 5K
Virtual 5K	Result Upload Access	Late April	Remote Participation

Race Logistics and Participation

The event kicks off mid-morning at Annex Park, utilizing the scenic trails adjacent to the Elk River. To ensure inclusivity, a virtual 5K option is also available, allowing supporters to participate from any location between April 18 and April 26. While children can participate in the community walk/run, those wishing to receive an official event t-shirt must ensure they are registered by the early April cut-off date. All proceeds generated from the event are funneled directly into CBAL’s regional programs, including family literacy projects and adult learning services.

Regional and Community Context

Fernie is a historic mountain town nestled in the Elk Valley of the East Kootenays, surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Famous for its world-class skiing and mountain biking, the town has transitioned from a coal-mining hub into a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure tourism. The local community is highly active and deeply invested in preserving the natural beauty of the region while fostering a supportive social environment for its residents.

The town's unique character is shaped by its well-preserved Victorian architecture and a culture that celebrates both its industrial roots and its modern sporting identity. Residents and visitors alike take advantage of the extensive trail networks and the proximity to the Elk River for recreation. Annex Park, the venue for this race, serves as a central gathering point for community events and offers easy access to the local nature paths. By hosting the Lace Up For Literacy event here, the community continues its tradition of combining outdoor wellness with meaningful social support for literacy and lifelong learning.

Races Offered

5K Adult/Youth (Includes t-shirt - register by Apr

Apr 26, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

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10:00

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$35.00

5K Adult/Youth (No t-shirt - register by April 20)

Apr 26, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

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$20.00

5K Children (register by April 20)

Apr 26, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

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Free

Virtual 5K (No t-shirt - register by April 20)

Apr 26, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$15.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Fernie.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat -0.8° / 9.8°

wb_sunny -4.4° / 6.1°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 6.5 /

water_drop 67.0%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat -0.8° / 9.8°

wb_sunny -4.4° / 6.1°

air 6.5 km/h

water_drop 67.0%

About Fernie

Learn more about the host city, Fernie.

Fernie is a town of 5,200 people (2016) in British Columbia that is fully encircled by the Rocky Mountains. It began as a mining town, but its location in the Canadian Rockies has led to the development of the Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR). Fernie is renowned for its powder skiing and snowboarding - the resort receives an average of 875 cm of snow per year!