Club Information & History

The PRAIRIE INN HARRIERS is one of the largest organized running clubs in Victoria. The club was founded in 1978 by Alex Marshall, Robin Pearson and the late Bruce "Gunner" Shaw. It is a member in good standing with B.C. Athletics and the Vancouver Island Runners' Association. The club was incorporated under the Society Act in 1982 with the stated purposes:

a.) to encourage, promote, foster, support and assist in the development of public participation in running for fitness and health; and

b.) to organize and promote mass participation running events and educational and public awareness for the purposes of a.) above.

Here's a club profile written by Mike Boissonneault for the Harriers' Winter 1996 newsletter:

"I've been a member of the Prairie Inn Harriers for about four years. Since I started running with the likes of Bob Reid, Steve Barr, GP and others I've heard a lot of stories about running heroics and general debauchery.

"One name that came up more than any other amongst all the stories (all of which I'm sure are true) was a guy named Gunner Shaw. Stories about perseverance and determination, about friendship and fun and the odd bit of beer drinking too.

"I've been told he was the driving force behind the formation of the Prairie Inn Harriers and began to find myself wanting to know more about a person who has been dead for almost 12 years now.

"At the most recent Gunner Shaw trail run in Thetis Park, Bob Reid announced moments before the race started that this was the kind of run Gunner loved. Now, I love running in and around Thetis Lake Park but unless I really have to I'll avoid hip deep freezing "puddles" and "hills" high enough to have geological reference points to mark the summit. I spent a good part of that run thinking about a person who I had never met before or even knew what he looked like, but felt a kinship with none the less.

"In my quest for information, who better to ask than historian, and senior member, Bob Reid. I went to Bob's house and of course he had stacks of information neatly arranged in books, binders and photo albums.

"The club saw its formation in the Prairie Inn Pub in Central Saanich (late spring 1978). After a trail run Bruce "Gunner" Shaw, Alex Marshall and Robin Pearson were replacing electrolytes and in the process of rehydrating when they decided that it was time to form a running club. Apparently there was considerable debate (and probably considerable rehydrating) about what to name this new running club. One of the names suggested was the Victoria District Harriers but it was quickly realized that the initials VD Harriers could seriously compromise future social gatherings. A casual yell at Dave Duncan (owner of the pub at that time) asking if he wanted to sponsor a running club produced the question from him, "how much?". With a reply of two hundred dollars came the response "OK". So the debate concluded that the club name would be the Prairie Inn Harriers.

"The first organized meeting occurred at Gunner's house in January 1979 with 8 members attending. The club grew quickly with a full range of ages and abilities. Although Alex did not expect the club to survive because of what he had seen in other running clubs he realized that the Prairie Inn Harriers prospered because of its ability to accommodate both the competitive runner and the recreational runner. Its involvement in the Vancouver Island running community over the past 18 years has been extensive. Bursary funds exist to support students in the pursuit of athletics (Gunner Shaw Bursary) and in the study of Computer Sciences (John Thipthorpe Bursary). The club has been involved in events ranging from runs to support local issues to significant contributions at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

"I expect the club will continue to grow and prosper but I also think we should be cautious taking things for granted and expecting the workload of maintaining the functions and traditions of the club to a core group of members.

"Let's continue to show our pride and commitment by making the Prairie Inn Harriers reflect the character of its members, past and present."