ConocoPhillips Canada (CPC) was the proud Platinum Sponsor of this year’s Fort St. John (FSJ) Vertical Slam Challenge and provided shirts for the 138 participants in this year’s 5K, 10K and 21K events that took place on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Beatton River Valley.

“While CPC was a supporter of Vertical Slam in 2019 and 2021, this is the first time the Montney team supported the event with volunteers on the ground,” said Kirk MacLellan, operations services superintendent. “It was such a success that the Montney team is already planning how they can support the 2024 event.”

Seven years ago, Vertical Slam began as a simple plan to include more race options for the FSJ community. As registration was about to begin for the first race, a story came to the organizers about kids showing up to school without any lunches.

Vertical Slam President Laurie Cardinal recalls reaching out to the schools and learning that the government doesn’t provide funding for school food programs.

“Employees and teachers had been taking money out of their own paycheques to buy food for the children,” said Laurie. “This is the moment we found our cause and purpose for the race.”

The Vertical Slam Beatton River Valley raised $12,100 this year. Thanks to money raised through race registrations, 22 schools in the district will be able to provide kids with lunches.

“My heart is full of the support we received from ConocoPhillips Canada this year,” said Laurie. “Thank you for making a positive impact on this community.”

Way to go FSJ and thank you to the Montney team for making it out to cheer on the local runners.