Running for a good cause

Canadian volunteers and Ghanaians running to end poverty

By Power up with Steph Power

For the last four years, I have been involved with the local running scene here in St. John’s. Although I have taken a break from running for the past few months, I can tell you that the running community here is an incredible one.

Having taught local running clinics, as well volunteered to do some group leading, I can say surely that runners, whatever their reason for hitting the pavement, are an enthusiastic, motivated bunch. There are many reasons people decided to take up running – for health and wellness, for complementary training and for competition. If you happen to be around Churchill Square in the evenings during the week or bright and early Sunday morning you will see the Running Room runners out together.

There are also other places around town that have running groups. Some may think it crazy, especially when you are keeping the late Saturday night schedule to get up and go early Sunday, but the runners in St. John’s are getting on the go for more than just the run itself.

Many events in town are for fundraisers. For example, over the last year, a few different events that have taken place include the Rotary World Walk / Run for Water, the Get Lucky Run for the Arthritis Society, the Kidney Foundation Gift of Life Walk / Run, and the MUN Athletics Scholarship Fundraiser Run. There are also a number of Newfoundland and Labrador Athletics Association (NLAA) events that focus on providing funds for athletes throughout our province, such as the 2009 Canada Games Team.

Check out the local Running Room or with the NLAA for events coming up. And there are events year round. The number of dedicated people that work to make these events happen is awesome, and there are many ways to get involved.

If you are looking to for a fun and inspiring way to travel, think about considering a Joints in Motion Event. These runs, that take place around the world (Think Cayman Islands or Greece) offer team training opportunities, along with fundraising assistance and a chance to see a cool place, well raising money for a great cause, the Arthritis Society. For more information check out www.arthritis.ca.

One more very interesting event that has taken place both in Canada and countries in Africa in the Run to End Poverty and event started by overseas volunteers with Engineers Without Borders (EWB). This event started in 2007 in Ghana, West Africa and Montreal. The concept was to have people running in both parts of the world coming together to raise awareness of extreme poverty in Africa.

From their website: “The running events brought attention to EWB’s efforts to build capacity in African partner organizations and communities, while connecting Canadians with people in the communities where we work.”

Since 2007, the run has grown to various members of EWB across Canada and Africa training, participating and creating a Run for the Cure event, raising money and creating awareness of poverty and what people can do to work towards eliminating it. For more information, please check out their website, www.runtoendpoverty.ca.

Hopefully you are inspired to check out one of these events, or even train or volunteer for one. Not only can running have health and wellness benefits, it can also help change the world.

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