A new recreation program in Dawson City is gaining popularity within the community.

Run Dawson’s youth programming has been keeping interested kids moving since last year.

The group started with a teen running/walking group, which met once a week for about an hour.

Spearheaded by local runner and RCMP officer, Logan Boehmer, the group explored on- and off-road around Dawson.

The kids would meet up and then divide themselves based on how fast they were likely to travel. The group is a mix of more experienced runners such as Jack Amos, who won the midget B.C. cross-country championships in the fall and others who are just beginning their introduction into the sport.

“It’s a good outlet. It’s a good stress relief. It’s a good activity,” said Run Dawson board member Jody Beaumont.

She said that there are lots of recreational opportunities in Dawson, but that most are team sports.

“I think it’s easier to get into in the sense that you can quietly commit and play around with it and decide if it’s for you or not,” she said of running.

This fall the group started offering a session for younger runners to gauge interest in a permanent program.

“There really was an interest,” said Beaumont. So Run Dawson is partnering with the recreation department to offer a program for the 10-and-under crowd in the spring.

“There’s a lot of super eager young kids,” said Boehmer.

Both youth running programs are on hold right now as Run Dawson regroups ahead of spring.

The teen program is free to participants and is run completely by volunteers.

Boehmer said that some of the youth were attending the program in jeans and t-shirts.

“You make the best of what you’ve got,” he said.

Run Dawson is collecting lightly used running gear for the teen participants.

“Anything. We will find a use for anything,” said Beaumont. She said winter running gear would be especially welcomed.

If you have any running gear you’d like to donate you can email info@rundawson.com

Run Dawson would also welcome more volunteers to help run the teen running sessions.