The 46th annual Medicine Hat College Rattle Race attracted more than 550 participants on Saturday, up 50 from last year.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Typically considered the first major running event of the year, the Medicine Hat College Rattler Run attracted some serious athletes, as well as youngsters, joggers and walkers from all ages and ability levels.
The race horn sounded Saturday morning at the college as more than 550 participants competed in either the 3 km, 5 km and 10 km distances, looping around the campus.
Race director Bill Corcoran says most people participating in the run are trying to do their personal best on the course and enjoy the warm spring conditions and atmosphere with others in the community.
“Some people are just using it to get out in the spring,” says Corcoran, who explains the college opened up registration earlier in the year to motivate people to participate.
“We said the Rattler Run is coming up in April, why don’t you use this as a goal for your New Years resolution and try to get out running, so I think that helped a bit.”
However, there was no shortage of talented athletes leading the pack in both the 5 km and 10 km distances on the uphill course.
“It’s a little bit tough, particularly in the 5 km and 10 km, because you’ve got that hill. So there will be fast times, but it’s certainly not a flat and fast course,” said Corcoran.
Chris Jonker, a 2021 Rattlers alumnus, took the top prize in the men’s 10 km event, stopping the clock in 35:46.
Maddie Scrimger, 2025 Rattlers Female Athlete of the Year, finished first in the women’s 10k race, prevailing in a time of 41:29.
Fifteen-year-old Anna Chatterton of Lethbridge took the women’s 5 km title in a time of 21:33, while 17-year old Alejandro Alaya Aguilar of Medicine Hat placed top in the men’s 5 km at 17:56.
The race also featured a whimsical mascot race with seven contestants from a variety of local businesses and organizations.
