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Former ASG Participants Describe the Impact of the Games

Ahead of the upcoming May 27 fun run, Cern Basher and Richard Ellum reminisce about how the Games changed their lives.

The Okotoks and Black Diamond Alberta Summer Games take place from July 20-23, 2023. Between now and then are several supporting events, including a family fun run on May 27.

“Save the date!” says Jacqueline Heuver, one of the event’s organizers, “and get ready to rock the river in support of the 2023 Alberta Summer Games! “

Heuver continues, “The 5 km family fun run starts at noon and the 1 km kid’s race starts at 11:45 am. Pre-registration is required for both races. Join us post-race at Hub Town Brewing to find out how you can be further involved in ASG23. Keep an eye on our website for more details, which will be posted soon.”

The post-party at Hub Town Brewing is family-themed and will include carnival games.

Cern Basher, who took home medals in ASG87, remembers how competing in the 1500 metre and 3000 metre races changed his life.

“I have an older brother, Curt, who was a very good athlete,” Basher says of what got him into running. “He liked to challenge me and our oldest brother, Carl. I had no success in ever beating him in anything! Undeterred by my perfect track record of losses, I kept trying. One day Curt challenged me to a foot race up an 800 metre long hill. For the first half of the race we were running neck and neck but soon I began to pull away from him. At the finish, my margin of victory was sizable!

“To my brother's credit, he acknowledged his defeat without making any excuses and right then and there, I believed I was a good runner. I soon joined the Okotoks Track Club. Richard was my coach.”

How did racing impact him?

Cern describes, “It has heavily influenced who I am today. The skills of focus, discipline and perseverance that training and competing in any sport provides are key to achieving many things in life. To learn those skills at an early age is important.

“My successes in running led to other opportunities – a college scholarship to the University of Alabama and later a job offer. Then, ultimately, an opportunity to live in the United States where I've owned and run my own investment management/financial advice company for the last 23 years.”

He continues, “The ASG were one of many important steps in that journey. As a young athlete there weren’t many multi-day events for runners. We usually had a race and then we would immediately leave. With the Games, it was nice to spend time with other athletes.”

Cern knows how the Games can shape the future of young athletes and the communities that support them.

“It's a challenging world for athletes; opportunities to develop them must be carefully nurtured. The Games are important for young athletes as it helps them gain experience, build their confidence and develop a sense of sportsmanship. The ASG also helps them build relationships with other athletes from different regions, allowing them to make new friends and build friendships that can last a lifetime.

“The Games attract a large number of participants, their families and spectators to the community. This can boost the local economy in the short-term with spending on lodging, food and other services. It also helps foster a sense of community spirit and pride as local residents come together to support their athletes and showcase their community. Multi-day sporting events also help to promote the area as a destination for future events and tourism.”

Basher’s advice to aspiring athletes is this: “Some people mistakenly believe that competition is solely about winning and losing. While there will always be a winner, there are many other benefits that come from participating in competitive events. How you behave when you win or don't win is an important measure of your character. It exposes both your physical and psychological weaknesses, giving you an opportunity to constantly improve on both.

“Competition creates learning experiences for all involved. Don't take yourself too seriously; just try to enjoy the experience of getting the most out of yourself. Know that next time, you'll always have an opportunity to improve.”

Basher’s former coach, Richard Ellum, also has encouragement for ASG participants, whether they are on the field or in the stands.

“Growing up in England, running was part of our weekly physical education,” says Ellum. “In one of my senior years I was out of action due to an appendix operation but assisted with the track meet. The times in the middle distance events were not good and I thought I could do better.”

Ellum set himself up with a training regime and the next year, won the mile and the half mile races.

“I qualified for the county (provincial) meet and finished the mile in 4 min 36 seconds, cutting 30 secs off my first performance,” he smiles. “To me, this showed that the ability was in me and all it needed was the motivation to bring it out.”

“The ASG,” he continues, “are very important to young teenagers in all the sports. It is an opportunity to gain more experience and show how they perform against unknown competitors in a new environment.

“Also, there are times at the games when they can mix with teens from other parts of the province. For some of the younger ones, it is the first time away from home where they are responsible for looking after themselves. Over the years, seeing how these young people grow and mature has been most gratifying.”

“Support from the public is very important as it shows support for the efforts that these young athletes have put in to get to where they are today. It will encourage them to work to improve tomorrow.”

Ellum concludes, “I believe that in any community, whether it is music, ballet, archery or any activity where there are young people with the interest and ability, all they need is the motivation and opportunity.”

ASG23 will provide that opportunity to many young athletes, changing their lives and setting them on the path of success. Join the fun run on May 27 and stay tuned to learn about more opportunities to support the Games.

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