Thank You from our Co-Chairs!

Team BC/Yukon - Canada-Wide Science Fair 2011,

Toronto, Ontario, May 14 to 21, 2011

Once again, your support made the 12th Annual PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run on Sunday, May 29th a highly successful technology community event! This run is the largest timed 5K race in BC. The proceeds from the event go to The Dr. Michael Smith Science Fair Endowment to support the promotion and development of science fair programs throughout the province.

Yours Sincerely,

Patti Leigh & Bob Carveth
PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run Co-Chairs

The Photo Contest Winners Are...

Congratulations to the winners of our photo contest - Lisa and Brandon Loski, winning Hasbro Family Game Night, and Raphael Wong winner of NHL 2011! Congratulations and Thank you to everyone that participated! We will compile all the photos into new albums to be put on our Facebook Fan Page.

Congratulations and Thank You!

It was a fabulous day for a race, sunny and warm (at least for the spring we've been having...) but not too hot! The new start and finish location at the Athletes Village Plaza was great!

Congratulations to everyone that participated in the 2011 PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run - we hope you had a PB and if not a PB then just a great time! (get it? great time...) To see your race results please see the Race Headquarters website - times will be posted soon. Results will also be posted to the Fun Run website.

Please check out our Facebook Fan Page and become a Fan if you haven't already!

Thank you again and enjoy the rest of this sunny Sunday!

Vancouver was Made For Runners!

Vancouver is a city built for running. Every neighbourhood in the Lower Mainland has excellent running routes that avoid high traffic areas.

Did you know you can now run from the Convention Centre downtown, all the way to Kits Beach along the seawall? (that is, of course, if you want to run that far!) In North and West Vancouver the seemingly unlimited number of small trails, interconnecting various side roads, allow for great runs without running along major streets. Burnaby has Central Park. The West Side has the Pacific Spirit Park. Richmond has the dykes and on and on it goes.

As a runner I've used many of these routes during training and my all-time favourite place to run is on the trails in Stanley Park. Whether you're looking to run short or long, hills or relative flat, there is something for everyone. By connecting with the seawall and the inner park roads your choices are endless. There are steep hills for hill training and long flats for speed work. The trails are groomed and easy on the ankles. On a hot day the shade from the trees is wonderful. On a cold day the trees shelter you from the wind.

So get out and run a new route every week - take advantage of the opportunity we've been given! If you have a favourite route that others may not be aware of, please share it with us!

We'll see you at the Fun Run on the 29th!

Only Two Weeks Left Until Race Day!

There is still time to register for the PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run, the largest timed 5K race in BC and one of the technology industry's largest fundraising events. All registered participants receive a technical running shirt.

For more details and to register for the PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run click here.

The PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run supports young scientists, entrepreneurs and science fairs across the province. It is a family oriented event with balloons, free giveaways from run sponsors and free admission to TELUS World of Science on race day. Participate in the day's activities while learning how much fun science really is!

Start a Team!

There is also still time to start a team - there is no fundraising required. This is a great event for getting a team together in a fun and casual setting while fostering healthy habits and an active lifestyle.

Thanks to everyone who is already registered to run!

Freaky Science Fact # 3

Did you know all six of these Amazing Facts?

• that Armadillos can walk underwater? Seriously!
• that the Human Brain is 80% water?
• that Everyone's tongue print is different?
• that Polar Bears' skin is actually black and they only appear white due to light reflection?
• that Ostriches only have three toes?
• that Hummingbirds are the only animal that can fly backwards?

Seriously, it's all true! It`s amazing how much wonderful information is available on the web these days!

Actually... wait a minute, one of these facts is really not true. Do you know which one?

Let us know which you think it is!

Calling All Volunteers!

What are YOU doing on the last Sunday of the Month of May??

The Science Fair Foundation BC is looking for committed, energetic and friendly volunteers for the 12^th Annual PMC- Sierra Science Fair Fun Run.

Date:  Sunday, May 29, 2011

Time:  9:00 am

Locations:  The Athletes Village Plaza (Next to Science World)

We need volunteers for:

• Water Stations
• Registration
• Set up/ Tear down (please be prepared to do some heavy lifting of equipment)
• Time Chip Distribution/Collection
• Race Marshals
• Gear Check & Lost and Found

Volunteers receive in return:

• Volunteers will receive T-shirts to wear on the day of the event
• FREE ADMISSION to Science World on race day
• Refreshments provided during the event
• Volunteers will be eligible for draw prizes

Volunteer Orientation:  The evening of Wednesday, May 25^th, 2011, at Science World.

All volunteers will also receive a volunteer handbook at the orientation and a thank you letter at the end of the event, highlighting the volunteer hours worked, as well as the importance of their role in making the 2011 PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run a success!

*Note: Attendance at the orientation will count towards your volunteer hours. If your commute to Science World is ½ an hour or more, you may also submit your commute time for volunteer hours.

To volunteer, please click here!

Stay Hydrated!

First off, congratulations to those who participated in the BMO Vancouver Marathon or Half-marathon this past weekend! The weather was great on race day which was wonderful!

Hydration

Whether you're running 5 k or 50 k, proper hydration is really important. Fluid intake is just as critical before, during, and after your training runs!

Dehydration can reduce running efficiency, make you feel sluggish, and even lead to dizziness or cramping. So how much fluid is enough?

Runners used to be encouraged to drink as much fluid as possible. However, there are dangers in drinking too much, as well as too little. While it is written more from the perspective of the long distant runner, a great article on the history of hydration for running can be found at Science of Running. The Science of Running blog is an exceptional site for information on running.

A decent rule of thumb - if you feel thirsty you are already likely dehydrated!
Once you've recovered, we hope to see some of you marathoners out trying for a 5k personal best at the upcoming Fun Run!

Freaky Science Fact # 2

Have you heard of the Immortal Jellyfish?

Did you know there is a type of jellyfish that upon reaching adulthood can actually transform itself back to childhood by converting its cells? It has the ability to repeat this process again and again, theoretically living forever.

How cool is that!?

It's called the Turritopsis nutricula: it's amazing and it's true! You can read more here.

We want Your Run Photos!

Have you participated in the PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run in past years and have the photos to prove it? Are you interested in contributing to the photo albums on our NEW Facebook Fan Page?

Would you also like the opportunity to win a great prize?

If you answered yes, please send us (maximum 2 per person) your best photos from previous Science Fair Fun Runs. Include the race year, your name and your phone number. Photos can be of you and your friends, or of the race in general. Sending a photo will automatically get your name entered into a draw to win either: NHL 2011 for XBox 360 or Hasbro Family Game Night for Playstation 2.

Please send your photo(s) to funrun@sciencefairs.ca

Thanks in advance for your contribution! And good luck in the prize draw! If you have friends that have participated in past runs, please pass this message on!

P.S. Don't forget to visit our NEW Facebook Fan Page and become a Fan!

Entries will be accepted until May 28^th, 2011. Photos submitted will become the property of the PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run and will be posted on our Facebook Fan Page. Only photos of the PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run will be accepted. One of each prize will be awarded by random draw from all entries. Prizes are non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded.

Freaky Science Fact # 1

Does a child really have more bones than an adult?

Did you know that a human adult has fewer bones in his/her body than a child? Seriously, it’s true!

An infant has approximately 270-300 bones in its body (depending how they are counted and age), while an adult has only 206. Really? So how does this happen? Can you guess?

As a child grows, various groups of two or three of their bones fuse, or grow together to form one larger bone. Once an adult, 64 of the bones are in the arms, and 62 are in the legs!

Are you also aware that one of the best ways to strengthen your bones is through high impact sports like running! By training for the Fun Run you are not only supporting Science Fairs in BC, you are also making your bones stronger!

Train hard and have fun!

Welcome!

It's that time of year again... Spring has sprung, the weather is starting to get warmer, and runners have emerged to train for their favourite spring race. Welcome to the new blog for the PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run, a fabulous 5k race winding through False Creek!

Through this blog we will provide running training tips, post important information for the science and technology industries, and tell you about some fun science facts. We will also hold contests leading up to the run so check back often!

This year's race will be held on Sunday, May 29th starting at 9 am sharp - at our new start location at the Athletes Village Plaza. We hope to see you there!

P.S. Check out our new Facebook Fan Page!