NELSON RUNNING CLUB and PULPIT ROCK TRAIL SOCIETY PARTNERSHIP

Nelson's Trail Runners Are Putting In the Work — Literally

Nelson Running Club and Friends of Pulpit Rock Society unite to protect and restore the trails that define the city

NELSON, BC, April 14, 2026 — They've been running these trails for years. Now they're fixing them too.

The Nelson Running Club and Friends of Pulpit Rock Society have announced a formal partnership that will direct volunteer labour, fundraising muscle, and community momentum toward some of Nelson's most beloved trail networks — including Pulpit Rock, Sproule Creek, Lyon's Bluff, CBC Tower, and the Elephant Mountain Traverse.

The arrangement plays to each group's strengths. Friends of Pulpit Rock Society — the volunteer-run organization behind PulpitRock.ca — retains leadership on stewardship, trail planning, and long-term oversight. The non-profit Nelson Running Club brings what it does best: people. With 150 dues-paying members, seven weekly group runs, and thousands more followers connected through races and events, the club is a ready-made engine for volunteer recruitment and grassroots fundraising.

"A huge number of our members already use these trails regularly for hiking, training, and enjoying the outdoors," said Stephen Harris, Director of the Nelson Running Club. "This partnership is about turning that appreciation into action."

Sweat equity is already built into the calendar.

The partnership arrives alongside a broader shift in trail running culture — one where races come with responsibilities. The club's Cottonwood Countdown Nelson Backyard Ultra now requires each participant to complete one hour of volunteer trail maintenance as part of registration. Meanwhile, 12 NRC runners competing in the Fat Dog 120 race in Manning Park in August must each log eight hours of volunteer trail work on their home trails before race day. Between those two events alone, the club expects to generate hundreds of hours of hands-on labour for local trail systems.

The first joint event kicks things off in a big way: a full trail rehabilitation and repair session at Pulpit Rock on Saturday, May 2, 2026, starting at 7:00 a.m. Volunteer teams from NRC will work alongside contracted Friends of Pulpit Rock Society staff to tackle repairs and restoration work on one of Nelson's most iconic trails.

To keep the work area safe, the Pulpit Rock trail will be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. that day. Hikers are encouraged to head to Lyon's Bluff — approximately 4 km north on Highway 3A — as an alternative.

Why it matters.

Pulpit Rock sits just 5.9 km from downtown Nelson and connects to the Flagpole and CBC Tower trails beyond the main viewpoint. It's the kind of trail that defines a place — and the kind that quietly deteriorates without consistent care and funding.

"Part of what makes Nelson special is the incredible access to trails so close to town," said Guy Woods, Director of the Friends of Pulpit Rock Society. "We're excited to work with the Nelson Running Club in a way that grows our volunteer base and fundraising reach, while allowing our society to stay focused on long-term stewardship."

Both organizations hope the partnership draws more people into the fold — whether that means lacing up for a group run, showing up with a shovel, making a donation, or simply learning more about the trails they love.

About Nelson Running Club Nelson Running Club is a registered non-profit society in BC dedicated to supporting the trail running community through weekly social runs, events, and races. Membership fees help fund trail building, maintenance, and club operations. www.nelsonrunningclub.com 

About Friends of Pulpit Rock Society Friends of Pulpit Rock Society is the volunteer-run organization behind www.PulpitRock.ca, supporting trail stewardship, public education, and fundraising for maintenance and development across five local trail systems.

Media Contact: 

Stephen Harris | Director, Nelson Running Club NelsonRunningClub@gmail.com | 778-350-5800

Guy Woods | Director, Friends of Pulpit Rock Society, guy.woods@shaw.ca | 250-509-4276