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For the first time in its long history, Footstock was cancelled this year because of a sudden and violent windstorm that tore through Cochrane on Saturday night, just hours before the event was set to begin.
“We were on site doing our final safety checks and getting everything ready when the wind came up out of nowhere,” said Race Director Meredith McMorran. “Tents started flying, race materials were scattered everywhere. It was chaos.”
Four race directors were already at the site when the storm hit, with others rushing in to help secure equipment and limit damage. For over two hours, they scrambled to pack what they could into a U-Haul truck as tents collapsed and infrastructure came apart.
“It wasn’t just about the tents,” McMorran explained. “By midnight, we realized there was no way we could rebuild in time. We needed those early morning hours to set up the kids’ triathlon course, which is a major undertaking and can only be done the day of the race. We just didn’t have the time.”
The decision to cancel wasn’t taken lightly. McMorran described it as “heartbreaking” for the entire organizing team, especially after so much effort had gone into preparations.
Adding to the difficulty is the financial toll. Some of the most significant damage involved tents borrowed from ATCO, which were destroyed in the storm. Other sponsors and vendors also lost tents and materials.
“We don’t know the final cost yet,” McMorran said. “ATCO has been understanding, but the financial impact extends beyond just Footstock.”
Participants hoping for a rescheduled date this summer may be out of luck. Organizers are reviewing options, but McMorran noted that summer presents serious challenges, including availability of volunteers, race directors, and even participants.
“People are away, and the logistics are complicated. We’re looking at everything, but nothing is guaranteed,” she said.
Refunds are also unlikely. As McMorran explained, much of the event's costs, including timing services, signage, and facility rentals, are paid well in advance and non-refundable.
“We understand the disappointment, but we simply don’t have the funds to issue refunds,” she said, adding that participants will receive a full update on June 17.
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Despite the cancellation, the community came together in a powerful show of support on Sunday morning for a modified version of the event.
“Eight hundred pancake breakfasts were served,” McMorran said with a smile. “People came with their race bibs, some even went for their own run, and then joined us back at the site. It was amazing.”
Volunteers pivoted quickly to support the pancake breakfast and festival-style gathering, with help from the Stampede Caravan Committee, Snap Dance providing entertainment, and even a Tim Hortons coffee truck.
“It really lifted our spirits,” McMorran said. “It reminded us that Footstock isn’t just a race, it’s a community tradition.”
And while this year’s race didn’t go ahead, many participants have already vowed to return.
“We’ve received so many messages of support from people who understand how difficult this was,” McMorran said. “They’ve told us not to worry, that they’ll be back next year, and that means the world to us.”