Why run at all…

James Bay Community Project

By Paula Greene

It’s easy to be overwhelmed with the all the sporting events that go on and the request for donations yet it remains a very popular way to fundraise and engage in the community.

Until a few years ago I had never taken part in a sporting event in my life. I had assumed they were for the elite (and young) runners but not for me as I wasn’t a runner. Then through work I met two people in their 70’s and 80’s respectively. The woman in her 80’s had walked several half-marathons and raised thousands of dollars for her charity and the other person in his 70’s had clocked up nearly 100 marathons. In those moments my view of marathons and sporting events was changed and I had no good reason not to take part….what I wasn’t expecting was that a whole new world would open up to me or that I would have a drawer stuffed full of race shirts!

All the myths and stereotypes I’d held were dispelled as I walked my first Half Marathon at the Royal Victoria Marathon (now known as the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon). There were thousands of people there all shapes, sizes and ages. The hour was early but the energy of the crowd was electric. People were happy to be out on the road and happy to encourage me and my fellow walkers along. The atmosphere was wonderful and I felt part of my community in a way that I hadn’t previously experienced. I realised that events like could be for me, I didn’t have to be an elite athlete and no one cared that it took me nearly 4 hours to complete the half marathon because they were all busy walking or running their own race. I achieved what I set out to do - cross the start line and cross the finish line.

This year on Thanksgiving week-end I am proud to be running/walking as a member of the James Bay Community Project (JBCP) Soul Runners. We are part of the CHEK Charity Pledge Program which consists of 22 charities that collectively have raised over $1million dollars since 2005 – that’s a lot of money coming back to our community. When you register with the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon as a participant you can choose any of the 22 charities to run or walk for, join a team, volunteer or make a single donation to. Every dollar makes a difference to the communities of each of the charities.

James Bay Community Project is inviting you to join the JBCP Soul Runners and walk, run and yes raise money to support community programs that rely on donations. Programs like foot care for seniors and adults on low income, or filling our food cupboard with soup for those who don’t have enough to eat or building healthy family attachment through the parent-child Mother Goose program.

Did I mention that taking part is fun? Every year I see more cool costumes or inspiring sights on the route; the fire brigade running in full kit, the person who juggled and ran around the course and more than one superhero outfit. JBCP will be on the course and we hope you can join us. If you’re not sure that you can walk or run then join our 8k introduction clinic, we’ll train you to walk or run the 8k Road Race in October. We will get you to the start line and over the finish line in great shape.

So why run at all….? Perhaps you want to set yourself a personal challenge, or maybe there’s a cause dear to your heart that you want to raise money for… or could it be that you really want to dress up as a superhero and join 11,000 other people in your community to be part of an incredible community event.

If you have any questions about the 8k Road Race clinic or how to register as a JBCP Soul runner go to www.jbcp.bc.ca or contact Paula at 250.388.7844 Ext 309 pgreene@jbcp.bc.ca.