Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie celebrates a digital success

A total of 2,730 young people from 299 high schools, colleges and universities worked individually and in teams to cover a collective total of 33,592 km over the course of 30 hours, including 2,198 km at night, for an impressive average of 12.5 km per participant.

“Young people have shown considerable resilience, solidarity and motivation this weekend,” said race organizer and namesake Pierre Lavoie. “Reluctantly accepting the circumstances that robbed them of the experience they intended to have at La Course, they responded without hesitation to the unusual proposal we made to them. This weekend, social media witnessed gestures that exceeded our expectations. Very proud of their commitment and creativity, I must also thank their teachers and their families who made it possible for these young people to accomplish this feat.”

The challenge given to the participants remained essentially the same as that of the past nine years, namely running 270 km, the distance between Quebec and Montreal, over the duration of the challenge. Recorded online through the new application, however, the distances could also be increased as the virtual route had no limits.

Several Eastern Townships schools had teams in this year’s digital event, including Champlain College, Bishop’s College School, and Richmond Regional High School

The main objective of the Grand Défi is to create a culture of preventive health in Quebec by getting people to adopt healthy lifestyles. The organization is determined to continue developing the fitness movement, fighting obesity and increasing health prevention.