(submitted photo/ DJ King)

By Nicole Reis

FUN-RUN 2020

Chuck wagon pro organizes community race events to give back to community and youth

Aug 19, 2020 | 4:10 PM

Local chuck wagon professionals have coordinated a small tour in the hopes of bringing back some normalcy while adapting to the current pandemic climate.

As the province slowly reopens, organizer of the 2020 Chuck Wagon Fun-Run, DJ King has put together a series of non-sanctioned chuck wagon races. The event is an effort to bring back the sport while supporting local youth organizations.

“Any athlete can’t sit on the sidelines for a whole year and expect to be back into things next year. Every sport is still in idle mode and not in full force but everyone is adapting,” King said. “We love working with horses and it’s therapy for everyone and were giving [the public a] chance for a mental break from everything that’s going on in the world.”

The 2020 Fun-Run is a six-series event involving professional chuck wagon racers from all over the province showcasing and breaking-in their new horses. Proceeds from T-shirt sales and sponsorships are donated to community youth organizations.

Canadian Professional Chuck Wagon Association (CPCA) and the World Professional Chuck Wagon Association typically organize the event though operations for this year have been temporarily suspended.

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The 2020 Fun-Run is half-way through its tour with next stops in Little Pine First Nation, Onion Lake and Meadow Lake.

“We’ve all planned to go back to our tours next year, but like the rest of the world, we’re adapting to the situation now with what’s going on,” King said. “With this event, everyone’s a winner — the community, the drivers and we get to give some money to a charity.”

Over the last three events, driver Obrey Motowylo donated his winnings back to both Poundmaker Youth Club and Bear Creek’s youth organized sports school. Driver, Todd Baptiste donated his winnings to the Dewberry minor hockey club.

Kale Lajeunesse, co-organizer and driver said the event is a fun way to make connections with the community and work their horses.

“Human beings are social beings and we thrive off our relationships,” Lajeunesse said. “To be able to get out and see people we haven’t seen in a while, see our animals and get a bit of joy in our life when there isn’t much else going on, is really exciting.”

Lajeunesse added all the communities visited to date have been supportive, hospitable and adhering to health and safety guidelines in place.

Little Pine First Nation event is coming up Aug. 22 and 23 at the H.K Memorial Race Track.

Details are being finalized for the Onion Lake Cree Nation event which will be held on Aug. 29 and 30 and Meadow Lake’s event on Sept. 5 and 6.

The public is urged to come to the track early and find a designated parking spot. Staff will be taking temperatures and offer hand sanitizer when needed. The public are urged to maintain a social distance at the events.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722