Free parkruns taking place at Gillies Lake every Saturday
Every Saturday, people around the world have been getting together for five-kilometre parkruns as a way to get people active.
There are several parkruns in the north, including Timmins, where people take laps around Gillies Lake on Saturdays.
The parkruns might look like a race, but organizers say it's really an exercise in community building. Organizers aim to turn what is typically a solo activity into a weekly free social event.
"In Timmins, we have a lot of runners but they kind of all do their own thing and I really wanted something to bring them together," says Jeremie Lamothe, a Gilles Lake Parkrun organizer.
Lamothe says his own passion for running and promoting physical activity drove him to facilitate what's now over 50 runs since 2019.
Runners tackle a five-kilometre route at their own pace. Participants can even walk, if that's their speed.
"I'm out running all the time and I love this lake, so I see them often. I just thought I'd participate and support Timmins and the running community. I love it," says Karen Woodrow, a first time runner at Saturday’s event.
The events also have a ‘tail’ runner who always finishes last, so no one feels left behind.
Lamothe says it's just about moving around and enjoying some company.
"It is really nice to bunch up together every Saturday, a routine, you get to see your friends," Lamothe addes.
"It's a rock, you know. It's always kind of there, when you need it to be there. So, today, I need a relatively shorter run. Maybe with some people, run with someone, talk. Great start to a saturday morning and it's a good start to the weekend," says Mitch Bergeron, a regular runner.
This Saturday about 11 came out to the parkrun - but organizers say there's no limit.
This event is just a local parkrun; there are 43 others across Canada and even more around the globe.
"You can attend any parkrun in the world, that's the cool thing. It's always free. If you're travelling across the world, you know, it's every Saturday morning at either eight or nine o'clock (local)," says Christian Smith, a Timmins parkrun volunteer.
North Bay and the Sault have their own parkruns as well.
Runners can register for a barcode at the parkrun website that runners bring with them whenever they can attend.
If you are just looking for some exercise or you are looking to be a competitive runner organizers say everyone is welcome.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.