Sports
Icebreaker provides a fresh breath of air
Now that the festive season has passed, it’s
time to work off some of that holiday cheer. And there are few better ways than
exercise.
Sunday’s Steveston Icebreaker 8K road race is
the perfect tonic, with the added bonus of supporting KidSport Richmond in the
process.
One of the major fundraisers for the Richmond
Kajaks Track and Field Club, which has proudly served Richmond since 1961, the
Icebreaker is a chance to start 2019 anew. All that’s needed is a desire to run
or walk.
This year, Richmond’s New Balance store
(located at the Centre at Garden City, 1410-4771 McClelland Rd.) is stepping up
to partner with the Kajaks on a 1K kids’ run at 8:30 a.m., just before the
adults take to the streets at 9 a.m. Recognizing their efforts, each kids’ run
finisher will receive an inaugural New Balance kids’ run ribbon. There’ll also
be a free run, jump and throw demonstration by Kajaks’ coaches after both runs,
where children can get coaching tips.
New Balance owner Jordan Cluff says his
company is proud to be part of this longtime community tradition, and elated to
be supporting youth in sport.
“There are so many benefits youth get from
sport and fitness and New Balance Richmond is thrilled to be able to support
this initiative and to bring more awareness to KidSport Richmond at the same
time,” he says.
“We ecstatic to add the 1K kids’ run and to
partner with a community-minded organization like New Balance,” says race
director Jared Hulme. “Our hope with adding the kids’ run is to encourage
families to be active together, while (at the same time) bringing more
awareness to KidSport.”
All the proceeds from the kids’ run will go
directly to KidSport Richmond, which helps children overcome the financial
barriers of participating in sport.
“One of our goals as a club is to be
community-focused, and we saw a great opportunity with the kids’ run concept,”
says Kajaks’ president Garrett Collier. “We’ve managed to bring together
not-for-profit and for-profit organizations with New Balance Richmond, KidSport
Richmond and the Kajaks Track and Field Club. It’s a great event that benefits
our community.”
For those looking for a few post-event
fitness tips, a free community expo will be held in the Steveston Community
Centre gym from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will be several run and fitness booths
and food sampling, with Lifemark Sport Medicine on hand as well.
Register now for the big day.