The Manitoba Runners’ Association brings its John Wichers Family Ice Cream Run Series back to Hespeler Park in Niverville on July 15, 2026. This is the third straight year the family-friendly run comes to the community, offering 1k and 2k distances for all ages.
On-site registration runs from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Individuals can sign up for $10, and families of up to seven people can register for $30, plus GST. Participants can also register online ahead of time to skip the wait.
Strollers and pets on leashes are welcome, making the event easy for parents with young children. The run is part of the MRA Youth Race Series, so young runners can earn points toward series standings. The entire series is sponsored by Access Storage.
The series is named after John Wichers, a longtime MRA volunteer who ran dozens of marathons and cycled from Vancouver to Winnipeg to raise money for children’s charities. Wichers, who was inducted into the Manitoba Running Association’s Hall of Fame in 2008, worked for more than 16 years at the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, adapting bikes and wheelchairs for kids with disabilities.
Hespeler Park, Niverville’s largest park at 91 acres, provides plenty of space with sports fields, a splash pad, playground, and walking trails. A new Peace Trail kiosk was unveiled there in June 2026 during Manitoba Trails Day.
