The inaugural Great Grain Relay was held on April 9,1983 and was the first major event in the newly constructed Max Bell Centre at the University of Manitoba . The original idea was developed when Jim Daly, then the University of Manitoba's Director of Private Funding and Mike McAndless, who was consulting with the University at the time got together to think about an opening event for the new facility. As the structure neared completion, they began to discuss ideas - with particular interest in a community based function in recognition of the strong support for the project's development.  The thought of a team athletic event that allowed a broad range of participation from the community with varying levels of fitness was the concept. Armed with this idea, Mike went back to his organization, United Grain Growers, and others within the grain industry to develop the event further. Initially, Don Ross and Mike McAndless both employees of United Grain Growers, sought out a number of like minded individuals within the industry and formed a committee to develop and finalize an event model. Committee members had long recognized the need for a mid-winter indoor team fitness event as a focus for participants for the long winter break between the former Kelly Corporate Relay, which was run in the fall, and June's Manitoba Marathon .

Originally the relay was scheduled for February; however, due to construction delays the Max Bell Centre was not operational for an event of this size until April. All subsequent Great Grain Relay events have been scheduled and run in mid to late February as originally intended.

Much of the original concept is still in place.  T shirts go to the lap counters.  The run continues to be supported by Grain Industry sponsors - although the support has broadened substantially over the years.  A reception following the race is still in place. Don Ross, Rob Tisdale, and Mike McAndless (founding committee members) continue to take an active roll in organizing the event annually and are normally “on site and working” on relay day…Don Ross has never missed an event!  

The relay itself was never meant as a “fundraiser” but rather to celebrate a day of fitness for the participants and to give them an opportunity, with other team members, to reconnect and initiate or test their plans to train for other events that occur once the snow clears later in spring. Given this fact, the Great Grain Relay, through its entry fees and corporate sponsorships, has always managed to generate a yearly profit – so each year the Directors appoint a “Charity of Choice” and a donation representing the excess income of the event has been donated to this Charity.

Charities have been:

Ronald McDonald House

Jocelyn House

Canadian Mental Health Association

Canadian Red Cross – Manitoba Division

Alzheimer's Society

Manitoba Division Arthritis Society/Joints in Motion

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Team participant numbers have varied over the years but the event itself has always generated a level of fun and excitement that has successfully carried it forward. It is not uncommon to find 500 to 600 people at the event on any given year.

Check for this year's date on this website, then come and join us for an afternoon of friends, fitness and fun at the Max Bell Centre between 11 AM and 5 PM. We promise you a well organized event and the opportunity to reconnect with your friends in fitness.