Run for school
First-ever Acadian Festival Road Race to contribute to Evangeline School playground upgrades
When Kathleen Couture of Richmond started running about two and a half years ago, it was simply to get in shape so she could keep up with her young granddaughter, who was running everywhere.
Today, Couture continues to run to keep healthy and to serve as an example for her children and grandchild. As well, she wants to contribute to the community she grew up in and, more specifically, raise funds for planned upgrades to the Evangeline School playground.
That’s why she and her sisterin-law, Jennifer MacWilliams of Wellington, who have participated in a combined total of about 50 races over the years, came up with the idea of organizing the first-ever Acadian Festival Road Race to be held on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 2.
These two members of the Running Room and the P.E.I. Roadrunners are inviting everyone to take part, by running, walking, going the distance in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller.
There are three children’s categories for runners 12 and younger. Registration is free for these age groups, and their races will start at 9 a.m. at the Evangeline Recreation Centre in Abram-Village.
For the 5-kilometre walk/ run, which starts at 10 a.m., the registration fee is $25.
“This distance may sound long for people who don’t usually participate in runs, but in reality, if you’ve already shopped in a mall for more than 45 minutes at a time, you’ve covered more than five kilometres,” says Couture. “All you really need to participate is light clothing and comfortable footwear.”
The 10-kilometre run, which has a $35 registration fee, is aimed at those who are used to running. It kicks off at 10:15 a.m.
For details about registering or volunteering for the event, contact courseacadien@gmail.com or visit www.facebook. com/courseacadien.
MacWilliams, who has been running for six or seven years, notes that if this “community happy event” turns out to be a success, she and Couture will make it an annual race. Each year, the proceeds would be donated to a local worthy cause, probably always related to children and youth.