History of Boogie The Bridge

    Boogie the Bridge is Kamloops’ largest celebration of movement. To date, Boogie has had over 38,000 participants (averaging over 2,000 for the last 13 in-person events) and raised over 1.2 million dollars for local Kamloops charities.

    Boogie is much more than a running event – it empowers people to achieve their dreams and move their bodies, energy and souls to becoming the best they can be.

    Founded by Jo Berry, Carol Gillis, Nina Reimer, Dawn King and Tracy Smith, all of who wanted to make a difference in their community. The event’s purpose was to promote the benefits of running to improve both physical and emotional well being. The original group of five believed in giving back and the theory that “Movement is Change” can assist in huge changes for people.

    Originally an all women’s event in year one. By year two, men, children and families wanted to be involved so Boogie became an all inclusive event. The first event attracted 62 participants and through the years has captured the imagination and hearts of the city and became a passionate ‘movement‘ for its citizens. The event continued to grow and morphed into the phenomenon it is today with the colour red symbolizing passion, energy, fun and change. The entertainment part of boogie (live music at the start and finish as well as along the route) has made Boogie a party on the run! Thousands descend upon Kamloops streets each Spring in celebration of our grassroots movement: Boogie the Bridge!

    Each year, thanks to the generous support of our community, we are able to donate a significant amount of the Boogie the Bridge registration fees to our Charities of Choice and our Boogie the Bridge Cultural Fund (BBCF – began in 2005).

    Boogie truly takes a community and without the support by its loyal and dynamic Boogie team, Boogie society, community partners, sponsors, volunteers and participants it could not happen, so THANK YOU.

    Boogie The Bridge is proud to have become one of Kamloops’ Spring traditions and hopes to continue for years to come.

    Boogie The Bridge Participation Over The Years

    YEAR# of Participants
    20242545Boogie the Bridge returned to a street festival atmosphere. While the weather was a little cool in the morning, the rain held off and participants were amped up ready to cross the Overlanders Bridge and complete their distances. Much fun and excitement was had by all.
    20232675The Bridge is Back! After a 4 year hiatus from being able to cross the Overlanders Bridge, the energy was electric as walkers and runners participated in the 26th Annual event.
    2022 (25th annual)2256A beautiful day at McDonald Park for Boogie to return to a full in-person celebration of movement and health after a 2 year hiatus!

    ** It was amazing to be back. **

    2021no in-person participants as Boogie celebrates virtuallyAgain, due to the pandemic, Boogie had to continue with the celebration of movement done virtually.
    2020no in-person participants as Boogie celebrates virtuallyDue to the pandemic, Boogie had to transition to the celebration of movement being done virtually.
    20192222Due to planned construction in downtown Kamloops, Boogie had the chance to showcase an incredible part of our City – the North Shore! Boogie started and finished at McDonald Park on the North Shore, and still Boogie’d the bridge – just not the one everyone was used to. The feedback was fantastic, our North Shore neighbors were amazing and we are thrilled to be back on the North Shore for 2020.
    20182804We welcomed our two new charities Kamloops Brain Injury Association and YMCA-YWCA – Kamloops Early Language and Literacy Intiative (KELLI).  The weather was cool and for the first time ever, the skies opened up and rained for warmup, mini boogie and parts of the race.  A new start/finish near the Signature Sandman.
    2017 (20th annual)2879Our two charities remained the same as 2016 and it was a perfectly beautiful bluebird sunny day down at the start/finish at Riverside Park.
    20162,677Our two new charities of choice are the A Way Home Program and the Crossing Bridges Art program (Kamloops Arts Council). It was a mixed weather day as we started and finished at Riverside Park again!
    20152,549Our two charities were The CMHC Youth Clubhouse and the Family Tree Family Centre. We returned our Start line to Riverside Park due to the Overlander Bridge being under major repair.. It was a bright, sunny day!
    20142,373Sadly the Daily News closed it’s doors but we are thrilled to announce our new Title Sponsor CFJC TV! It was a sunny, slightly windy, beautiful Sunday with 2,373 participants to support our Two Charities The CMHC Youth Clubhouse and the Family Tree Family Centre.
    20132,464BIGGEST Boogie ever although it was a tad chilly, the turnout of 2464 participants warmed our hearts! We partnered for a second year with Big Brothers and Sisters of Kamloops.
    2012 (15th annual)
    		2,342Another Successful Year, Our Fabulous Charity of Choice Big Brothers and Sisters of Kamloops. It was a fabulous Spring Morning.
    20112,2002200 again show up on a cold May morning boogie while the committee once again partners with ASK Wellness of Kamloops to raise funds.
    20102,2002200 people Boogie through the streets of downtown Kamloops as our event moves from the park to the heart of our downtown core and the committee partners with ASK Wellness of Kamloops to raise funds
    20092,2002200 people Boogied and brave cool temperatures, and KELLI program is thriving because of the awareness.
    20082,2002200 people Boogie and awareness of KELLI program
    2007 (10th annual)1,800People Boogie and continue to raise monies, awareness, and participation in movement and health.
    20061,5071507 Raised the awareness of CMHA Youth Clubhouse and promoting movement and health!
    20051,2001200 Boogiers come out to assist and raise funds for low income families and children in Kamloops.
    2004847Boogie -4- Kids school based program is added as a pilot project for the first time! An overwhelming success with over 350 kids running either 1K mini boogie/ 5K or 10K distance. The half marathon is fast becoming a large event as well! Boogie raised enough money to purchase a Boogie Bus for low income families and children through the ARCH program.
    2003503Kids event’s see a significant increase in attendance . The high energy warm up brings people ‘out of their comfort zones’ and put into a philosophy of living life to the fullest while running down the gorgeous river trail. Funds raised go to the Kamloops Sexual Assault Center.
    2002 (5th annual)383Kamloops Daily News comes on as an amazing corporate community sponsor and becomes passionate about contributing to community health. The message of “Movement is Change” is taken out to the community and healthy living increases in our beautiful city! 1k Mini boogie is added for kids! Funds raised go to the Kamloops Sexual Assault Center
    2001350Boogie adds the half marathon distance! Funds raised go to the Kamloops Boys and girls Club.
    1999101The Kamloops own rube band warms up the crowd on a very windy day. Yes : The beginning of putting the “ Boogie” into “ Boogie The Bridge”. This is a 2 day event with Trisha Sellmer and the Kamloops Art Council putting on an amazing art exhibit all on body image the night before Boogie also including a wine and cheese celebration in red. Boogie becomes an all gender event and raises money for the Women’s Resource Center.
    2000190This celebration in Red is becoming better known and the energy contagious. The kids decorate the bike bridge with beautiful life size cut outs of people running and playing. 5K and 10K Boogie raises money for the Kamloops Boys and Girls Club.
    1998 (1st annual)62Boogie was created by Jo Berry. Boogie took place out of Java Cycle and was attended by 62 runners and walkers. Boogie was born from a pivotal event in Jo’s life, the loss of her mom, and she moved forward with recruiting a group of women. Jo believed in giving back and the theory that “Movement is Change” can assist in huge changes for women. This was an all women’s event in year one. Distances were 5K and 10K run / walk or stroll . Funds raised went to The Shop Program Women’s Lending Circle and the BPW club.