Timmins walkers log 1,000 km in one year as part of national challenge
The Great Canadian Running Challenge launched in 2018 with about 100 participants. Founder Jeannette Boudreau changed the name to My Time My Fitness for 2022, to encourage even more people to participate.
Registrants can walk, run, cross-country ski, swim, snowshoe -- to name a few activities -- and log their kilometres on a variety of leaderboards.
"It’s amazing to see how many lives are changing because of this challenge," said Boudreau. "That was my whole goal to get people together from across the nation."
Rita Delaurier of Timmins is one of about 10,000 people participating in the challenge this year. She said she's only 20 kilometres shy of attaining her 1,000-kilometre walking target.
A large component of the challenge is a Facebook group where members post highlights of their progress.
"They post pictures of where they live so you get to see very beautiful scenery from other provinces," said Delaurier. "Also, it’s very motivating because if you’re not really feeling like walking, you read a few posts and see that others are feeling the same way, but they’re still doing it. It makes you feel like you can do it, too.”
Tracy Dougherty is also from Timmins and a member of the challenge. At first, Dougherty thought the goal was somewhat daunting, but registered anyway. She surprised herself by reaching her 1,000-kilometre running/walking goal a month early.
“I’ve been teaching from home since March 2020," she said.
"It was extremely important that I got out of the house and it was basically my motivation daily. I would go for a walk at lunch, sometimes after supper as well, just for my mental health."
Boudreau said that will all the chaos in the world right now, the challenge can help people refocus.
"(I thought) it would help people get stronger mentally, physically and emotionally," she said.
While it's free to register, Boudreau said the challenge is also a way to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. Participants can buy medals and swag to help keep them motivated or they can donate directly through a 'Tuesdays for Terry' link.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.