Return of Cabot Trail Relay Race brings feeling of normal back to Cape Breton
For the first time since 2019, runners from across North America pounded the pavement for the famed Cabot Trail Relay Race over the weekend.
For businesses, it was music to their ears, and filled up their pocket books.
"We landed here at four o'clock in the morning and at five there were line-ups. I had two tills going and there were line-ups," said Rosalie Pino, café owner.
It's an early start to the tourism season for Rosalie Pino and her newly purchased Baddeck cafe.
"We really missed it. Things wouldn't even be open this early if we didn't have the relay race," said Pino.
More than a thousand runners from 63 teams participated in the race.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made things complex for organizers, considering they didn't officially give the green-light until last month.
"There was a feeling of relief and gratitude. Certainly at the captains meeting on Friday night everyone was pleased to be there and too be back," said David Parkinson, Cabot Relay chair.
Despite still getting through the pandemic, Dave Parkinson says there was a familiar feeling of a return to normal.
"There was an energy that the race brought back. It filled the village of Baddeck with people and put people around the trail and in different parts that hadn't seen this kind of traffic," he said.
CEO of Destination Cape Breton, Terry Smith, says he's hoping the event will kick start a busy tourism season around the island.
"The more events we have in person where people are seeing people gathering together, I think that's just going to build confidence and make people want to get out and travel," said Smith.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.