Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service half-marathon cancelled over danger of falling tree debris

Danger to runners from fallen and damaged trees after last week's vicious snowstorm is forcing the cancellation of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service's half-marathon this weekend, organizers said Friday.

"I'm really lost for words — gutted and devastated if this event did not happen," said race director Jonathan Torchia before the final decision was made.

According to organizers, this is the first time in its seven years the run has been called off due to a weather concern.

The eighth annual WFPS run — which includes 5K, 10K and half-marathon fundraising runs for the Heart & Stroke Foundation — had been planned for Sunday.

Torchia said the City of Winnipeg sent him a notice on Thursday questioning whether the race should go forward.

"The risk of falling debris is serious as a major portion of our route encounters areas that are of great concern for city emergency services," a statement on the WFPS half-marathon Facebook page reads.

Later on Friday the city recommended the event be cancelled.

"While this decision was not an easy one to make, we know we have to do what's best for our community," said Torchia in a release announcing the cancellation.

"Safety is our first priority for our participants and volunteers."

The snowstorm, which hit southern Manitoba late last week, damaged thousands of trees in Winnipeg. The City of Winnipeg has said it expects it will take months to complete the cleanup from the storm.

'Huge financial loss'

Before the decision to cancel the race was made, Torchia said the main areas of concern are Wellington Crescent and Assiniboine Crescent.

"As an everyday person driving down Wellington Crescent, it may not look like there's crazy damage or there's a risk of hazard for people," he said.

"But these trained arborists and trained professionals are ultimately the ones who are going to have a say in saying if these Priority 1 areas are too dangerous to send runners out onto."

Torchia said the committee could experience a "huge financial loss."

"It's not a $10,000 thing to put on this sort of scale of an event," he said.

"Over a quarter of a million dollars is invested into this … between porta-potties, staging, tents, tables, chairs — the facility rentals are astronomical."

The race will not be scheduled for another day and donations will still be sent to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. No refunds for donations will be made.