Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Australians set record for fastest stiletto race

Australians set record for fastest stiletto race

Competitors leave the start line during a special group photo shoot, with the Harbour Bridge in the background, at the ''Venus Embrace Closest Stiletto Relay'' in Sydney on September 28, 2010. An official world record was set at the event for the fastest ever 4 x 100m stiletto relay, which saw women in teams of four running in stilettos with a minimum height of 3 inches, to help raise funds to find a cure for breast cancer. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD

05:55 AM Sep 29, 2010

Four Australian women from Canberra have set the world record for the fastest relay race in stiletto heels.

The quartet completed an 80m course near Sydney's Opera House in about one minute and four seconds yesterday while wearing 7.5cm stilettos. A record keeper from Guinness World Records presented them with a certificate. The women - known as the Pinkettes - say they plan to use their AU$10,000 ($12,700) prize for a trip to Thailand.

About 100 women and a man competed in the race, which helped raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. AP


On The Run - Preventing 'bonk'


(click on article to enlarge & read)


Sunday, September 26, 2010

Scotiabank AIDS Walk and Run for Life 2010

It was sun and cloud and 13 degrees.

The Scotiabank AIDS Walk and Run for Life at Joe Ghiz Park. The out and back course on Confederation trail.

I finished in 37:39 and came in 3rd. Stanley Chaisson escorts with Edwin Gillis along the runners and walkers. Run about 9K.

Official Result: 3rd out of 19
~9K in 37 minutes, 39 seconds

Top Fundraising Individual - Danya O'Malley
Top Fundraising Team - Team KOA Cavendish
"the afternoon schedule features Aboriginal drumming and dance performances,
a warm-up led by Gord McNeilly of UFit,
and a 10K run showcasing 2009 PEI Marathon champion and record-holder, Stanley Chaisson.
All three Aboriginal Chiefs of PEI - Darlene Bernard (Lennox Island), Brian Francis (Abegweit) and Jamie Gallant (Native Council of PEI) – will attend and speak at the celebration
as will Minister of Environment, Richard Brown.
A lobster feed provided by The Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Band closes out the event!
"





http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2010-09-27/article-1797336/AIDS-Walk-for-Life-raises-over-%248%2C000/1

AIDS Walk for Life raises over $8,000

Participants leave the Joseph A. Ghiz Memorial Park as they  participate in the annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life. The walk is a  partnership project of the Canadian AIDS Society with the British  Columbia Persons with AIDS Society, the AIDS Committee of
Guardian photo by Brian McInnis

Participants leave the Joseph A. Ghiz Memorial Park as they participate in the annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life. The walk is a partnership project of the Canadian AIDS Society with the British Columbia Persons with AIDS Society, the AIDS Committee of PEI.

Published on September 27th, 2010
Mitch MacDonald

Todd’s life turned around 180 degrees when he was diagnosed as HIV-positive in October 2008.

Doctors told him if they hadn’t caught the disease when they did, he would have soon been dead.

At the request of Todd, The Guardian has decided to omit his last name.

Depressed and feeling alone in his struggle with the disease, Todd attempted suicide and found himself in hospital.

“Sure enough, the whole AIDS P.E.I. society came down to the hospital to support me,” he said.

Their support didn’t end there.

Whether it was through providing mental and physical support, financial, or, most of all, friendship, Todd never forgot how the group helped him in his darkest hour.

“I don’t know what I’d do without them,” he said at the 2010 AIDS Walk for Life at the Joe Ghiz Park on Sunday.

He wasn’t the only one there showing his appreciation for the society.

More than 50 runners, walkers and supporters combined to raise over $8,000 at the annual walk.

Money raised goes towards AIDS P.E.I. to assist those diagnosed with the disease while also raising awareness to prevent others from contracting it, said co-ordinator Danielle Moore.

“The money stays specifically on P.E.I. to help

educate and bring awareness. We help our clientele, who are HIV-positive, pay for forms, travelling if they have to go to Moncton or wherever and pay for small living expenses,” said Moore.

Raising over $30 million since 1996, the walk is held in communities across Canada throughout the last week of September.

Tom Hilton, executive director of AIDS P.E.I., said new HIV cases on P.E.I. in 2008 were the highest they’ve been since 1998 and are affecting a different demographic than homosexuals and injection drug users.

“What we’ve seen a big increase in is young Canadians, ages 15 to 19, and aboriginal Canadians, especially women,” he said.

While women represent about 15 per cent of AIDS cases in the general population, in aboriginals the number is much higher, at 35 per cent, said Hilton.

“This is about gender imbalance and power imbalance — women who are too embarrassed or feel they can’t say no to their partner and don’t practise safe sex,” said Hilton.

Because of the disease’s hold on the aboriginal community, Hilton said he was especially pleased with their involvement in this year’s walk.

All three First Nations chiefs on P.E.I. attended the event to talk about how the disease affects their communities.

“We don’t really know why. We just know that it is,” said Abegweit First Nation Chief Brian Francis, trying to explain why many new cases of HIV are among aboriginals.

Part of the reason may be a sense of false comfort from living in a small province, said Francis.

While many Islanders seem to dismiss the idea that AIDS affects the province, it is important to support groups like AIDS P.E.I., said Francis.

“We hope by doing this thing we’ll create more awareness of the disease so people can deal with it more effectively,” said Francis.

With help from AIDS P.E.I., Todd has been able to deal with his HIV more effectively. In the two years since his diagnosis, his white blood cell count has risen from nine to 365, while his viral level has plummeted from 22 million to under 40.

He wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for the group’s support, he said.

“It makes me cherish life a lot more. I wake up in the morning now and I’m thankful.”


Islanders on the Run - Today in New Hampshire & Newfoundland


136(Place) - 4/24 F5059 - 3:58:46 - Elaine Burkholder - 53 F - Charlottetown CN

300 Runners
Full Results

Congrats Elaine!

9(Place)
3:21:39 Francis Fagan
Charlottetown PE M 60-69
Full Results

Congrats Francis!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

For Sale: Brand New Vibram FiveFinger KSO F41

~ For Sale ~
Brand new
Vibram FiveFingers KSO

Female Size 41 (see chart)
Black

(click image to enlarge, click HERE to go to Vibram's webpage)
"The KSO remains among our most versatile styles for women. Featuring a thin, abrasion-resistant stretch nylon and breathable mesh upper that wraps your entire forefoot to “Keep Stuff Out.” A single hook-and-loop closure helps secure the fit. A non-marking 3.5mm Vibram TC1 performance rubber outsole is razor-siped for a sure grip, and a 2mm EVA insole enhances plating protection and comfort.

KSO IS BEST FOR: Light Trekking, Climbing/Bouldering, Running, Fitness, After Sport, Water Sports, Yoga/Pilates & Travel

Materials:
UPPER - abrasion-resistant stretch polyamide fabric & Hypalon® straps
SOLE- Vibram TC-1 performance rubber
FOOTBED- Antimicrobial microfiber with 2mm EVA insole

*Machine washable. Air dry.
Weight: Women’s size 38 - 4.7 oz. each, 9.4 oz "


I ordered these and one of my toes was a tiny bit scrunched
so I ordered a pair in 42 that fit much better.
These size 41 have been tried on but not worn.
They are new, with tags, in box.


"I'M A MAN; CAN I WEAR WOMEN'S SIZES? (OR, I'M A WOMAN; CAN I WEAR MEN'S SIZES?)
We have recommended many male consumers to try on a female size FiveFingers and have had great success. The only difference between a male and female FiveFingers is that, male "lasts" are slightly wider and longer than the female models. If your foot is smaller than the smallest male size, certainly try on a female size based on your measurement in inches --you may have much better luck! Alternately, if you are a woman and your foot is bigger than the largest female size, we encourage you to try one of our Men’s models based on your foot measurement in inches."

I'll sell them for what I paid for them - $100. ($85.US plus postage)
If you're interested, email me: jypsy@planetautism.com

These were bought directly from Vibram in the US.

You can buy them (if they're in stock) in Canada
here at MEC for $85CDN plus shipping
but they don't carry female black.


I love mine!

TOSH Farmers Helping Farmers 5 & 10 Miler



It was cloudy and 12 degrees.

The TOSH Farmers Helping Farmers 5 and 10 Miler at Three Oaks High School. The course on Old Summerside, trail and boardwalk.

The 10 mile race was changed from Miscouche Firefighters 10 Mile Run last year.

Scott Clark won the race and Jennifer Pizio-Perry for the top female.

I finished in 1:10:29 and came in 7th out of 59 runners.

Paul Wright won the 5 mile race and Eva Strongman for the top female.

Official Result: 7th out of 59
10 Miles in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 29 seconds

5 Mile Results
10 Mile Results

More Photos




http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-09-26/article-1795244/Clark-top-overall-finisher-in-TOSH-run/1

Clark top overall finisher in TOSH run

Scott Clark was the overall winner of the 10-mile event of the  Three Oaks Farmers Helping Farmers Run on Saturday. His time was  1:01:19.
Amber Nicholson/Journal Pioneer

Scott Clark was the overall winner of the 10-mile event of the Three Oaks Farmers Helping Farmers Run on Saturday. His time was 1:01:19.

Published on September 26th, 2010

Amber Nicholson

SUMMERSIDE - Scott Clark of Linkletter was the top overall finisher in the premiere Three Oaks Farmers Helping Farmers Run on Saturday morning.

Clark finished the 10-mile event in one hour one minute 19 seconds (1:01:19), making it his first first-place finish this season.

"I feel great," Clark said as he sailed over the finish line. "It was a beautiful run that really showcased Summerside."

Jennifer Pizio-Perry of Greenmount was the top female for the 10-mile run with a time of 1:10:04.

"It was a good, wet run," Pizio-Perry said. "I had never run the Summerside boardwalk before."

Top male and female runners for the five-mile run were Paul Wright of Central Bedeque at 34:38, and Eva Strongman of Linkletter at 41:54.

The course took runners along the boardwalk, Confederation Trail and through the streets and parks of Summerside.

"It was a beautiful run that really showcased Summerside." - Scott Clark

Clark is currently preparing for the upcoming P.E.I. Marathon that happens in October.

"Sixteen kilometres (10 miles) is a good distance to get you ready," he said.

Clark has a personal goal of two hours 50 minutes for the P.E.I. Marathon.

Pizio-Perry also has the P.E.I. Marathon in the back of her mind. She said that if she gets a few more long-distance runs in over the next three weeks she would strongly consider attempting her first full marathon.

"I have a lot of work ahead of me," Pizio-Perry said with a smile.

~*~

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Learn to run with Go!PEI


Learn to run with Go!PEI

Have you always wanted to "learn to run", but felt you did not know how? The Charlottetown Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Go!PEI and the PEI Road Runners are offering a 10 week "learn to run" program in Charlottetown.

DATE: Tuesdays, starting September 28, 2010
TIME: 6 – 7 PM
LOCATION: Victoria Park (meet at the ball field clubhouse)

This is a FREE program for all, please contact us to register.

Brief overview of program:
- This 10 week program is designed to help you build the stamina to learn to run.
- The most important part of the program is for the runner to be patient and not try and do too much too early.
- The program is based on 3 - 4 workouts per week. The group will meet once a week and you will pick 2 - 3 other days that are convenient for you to train on your own. A workout plan will be provided.
- Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable sneakers.

For more information and to register, please contact the Charlottetown Parks and Recreation Department at (902) 368-1025 or email: fquinn@city.charlottetown.pe.ca.

Website: www.city.charlottetown.pe.ca; www.twitter.com/gocharlottetown

On The Run - Get on your Gators


(Click on article to enlarge & read)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Finish Line Photos

I've taken a lot of finish line photos over the past few years. Currently there are 48,057 photos on Alex's Flickr account, most of them finish line photos. Here's a finish line photo I didn't take:

Loretta snapped this yesterday as I crossed the finish line at the Terry Fox Run.

After cycling 34.63Km with the Maritime 50K Fox runners (taking photos along the way), I saw Alex onto the Bridge then I parked my bike at Cape Jourimain in the parking lot and took to the Bridge on foot.
I met up with my youngest son, who had walked over from the PEI side about 2Km in and we walked back together. It took just over 2 hours to cover the 12.9Km and we even ran most of the last 1.5Km. We were off the Bridge by the 12 noon deadline.

I wonder how many more finish line photos like this there will be......


Islanders on the Run - The Cape Breton Fiddlers Run

Cape Breton Fiddlers Run


1(Place) - 36 Leo McCosham - 1/5 - 2:47:37*
6(Place) - Donald Stephens - 1/2 - 3:26:32*
13(Place) - Bev Walsh - 2/5 - 3:47:17*
15(Place) - Dianne Watts Pye - 1/4 - 3:51:16*
17(Place) - Maureen Leard - 2/4 - 3:54:39*
24(Place) - Kim Critchley - 4/4 - 4:28:32
28(Place) - Cathy Vaniderstine

Half-Marathon Results
105 177 Nancy McMinn - 5/5 - 2:39:37

Congrats All!
Congratulations on the win Leo, the PB Dianne and the Boston Qualifying Maureen!

Fire Juggling Revisited

"So... I've decided to start working my way back to juggling fire and, in August, when my eldest son hopes to return to the Island for a visit, I plan to give the kids a demo." - July 1st 2010

My eldest son took these photos Saturday evening.
He's left PEI and gone home now but I will keep at it and get that flaming video soon....

Testing personal limits on Terry Fox Run

Testing personal limits on Terry Fox Run

Fifteen Island runners chose to tack on an added challenge - they  ran 50 km, starting from Tidnish, N.S. Stephen Brun/Journal Pioneer

Fifteen Island runners chose to tack on an added challenge - they ran 50 km, starting from Tidnish, N.S.

Published on September 20th, 2010
Steve Brun
BORDEN-CARLETON - For many people at the Terry Fox Run on Sunday, simply running or walking the length of the Confederation Bridge would be accomplishment enough.

Others take the opportunity to test their own limits.

Case in point: the P.E.I. Regiment, which marched the 13 kilometres with 50-pound knapsacks strapped on each soldier's back.

"We have to do a battle-fitness test every year, which involves (marching) 13 kilometres over a certain time period. We thought we'd take the opportunity to do that and connect with the community here at the Terry Fox Run and to make some money for the foundations as well," said Lt.-Col. Donnie Walsh., shortly after the troops were played off the bridge by the Regiment band.

"Everybody did really well, I'm quite pleased. We kept everybody together and had the band out for entertainment as well."

As if the march wasn't enough, after arriving on the Island each member had to complete a drag exercise - where one soldiers pulls another comrade along the ground for 25 metres.

"We'll be sore for the next two or three days," said Master-Cpl. Calvin Arsenault of Summerside. "There were a lot of people cheering us on, saying thank you, even giving us high fives."

Much earlier Sunday morning, another group also set out to complete the Terry Fox Run.

These 15 Island runners chose to tack on an added challenge - they ran 50 km, starting from Tidnish, N.S.

"They have an 'across-the-border' race in Amherst and I realized you could cross three borders, it would add up to 50K, and you could do it during Terry Fox," said the group's organizer, John Van Ekris of Charlottetown. "Seven of us had done that distance before, but we brought eight new people over to the darkness. Everybody made it, most people are smiling and they still like me."

In case you're counting, the distance is nearly 8 km more than a full-length marathon.

Van Ekris said the runners all finished the 50K between four-and-a-half and five-and-a-half hours.

"We started at 5:20 (a.m.) under the stars and out in the country," said Kensington's Ken Taylor of the run. "You just grit your teeth and keep going. (Terry) ran close to a marathon a day, on one good leg - it was amazing."

Rebecca Pike is originally from Pennsylvania, and is also one of the group's youngest runners at 24. She began running to relieve the stress of being a grad student at UPEI.

"I met this wonderful running community and it just became a passion. John was talking about the 50K run he was organizing for Terry Fox and I thought, 'Why not?' she said. "I had never heard of Terry Fox before I came to Canada. He's really inspirational. If he could do what he did with one prosthetic leg, I can do 50K."

sbrun@journalpioneer.com

Thousands walk/run the Confederation Bridge Sunday

Thousands walked/ran on the Confederation Bridge Sunday during the  Terry Fox event. Guardian photo by Brian McInnis

Thousands walked/ran on the Confederation Bridge Sunday during the Terry Fox event.

Published on September 19th, 2010
Canadian Press
BAYFIELD, N.B. — There was a brisk breeze and bright sunshine Sunday as 10,000 walkers and runners crossed the Confederation Bridge, doing their part to raise money for the annual Terry Fox Run — 30 years after Fox’s cross-country trek was tragically cut short.

Fred Fox, Terry’s older brother, was among those who crossed the 13-kilometre span over the Northumberland Strait.

He said it was an emotional moment as the group from the P.E.I. side met the group that started on the New Brunswick side.

“Everybody was cheering everybody on,” he said in an interview afterward, sipping water in the shadow of the bridge on the New Brunswick side.

“It was a pretty cool experience.”

The Terry Fox Foundation says the annual event, which has become one of the largest cancer research fundraisers in the world, has raised almost $500 million over the years.

That money has been used to make important breakthroughs in the fight against cancer, Fred Fox said.

On Sunday, he marvelled at the number of walkers and runners wearing red Terry’s Team T-shirts, signifying they are cancer survivors.

“It’s a testament to how cancer research is working ... People are surviving their cancer and living longer,” he said.

“It’s pretty rewarding when you get people coming up to you and saying, ’I’m a live today because of what Terry did in 1980 ... It’s pretty incredible to hear people express that.”

Fred Fox, only 14 months older than his famous brother, said he was thinking of Terry when he was crossing the bridge.

“We did everything when we were together,” he said. “He liked to stay active and compete all the time... We challenged each other to do our best.”

Many others have followed Terry Fox’s journey from the start, including Bruce Moore, his high school soccer coach.

“He was an average kid who did extraordinary things,” Moore said in an interview, adding that Terry Fox was a gifted athlete who also played basketball and rugby.

“He was a good student who was on the honour role ... But he was very quiet, and always the first one on the field and the last one off. He led by example, rather than make a lot of noise.”

Moore and his family ran in the first September event in 1981 and have taken part or helped to organize every run since then in Fox’s hometown of Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Moore, who’s now 70, was later diagnosed with cancer. He says he strongly believes he’s still alive because of the money raised from the annual runs.

Meanwhile, Terry Fox’s parents, Betty and Rolly Fox, were in southwestern Nova Scotia to take part in three runs. The community of Barrington won a national contest to host the Foxes.

“There are few folk heroes in Canadian history as formidable and inspiring as Terry Fox,” said local councillor Shaun Hatfield.

Terry Fox was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer when he was 18. His right leg was later amputated 15 centimetres above the knee.

Three years later, wearing a new leg made of steel rods and a plastic bucket, he was ready to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

On April 12, 1980, he dipped his artificial leg into St. John’s harbour to mark the beginning of his Marathon of Hope.

His trademark hop-skip gait took him through six provinces, running the equivalent of a marathon every day — 42 kilometres.

But the country was shocked in September 1980 when word came that cancer had spread to his chest.

The young man was forced to stop his run in Thunder Bay, Ont. He died 10 months later, a month short of his 23rd birthday.

His 143-day marathon, covering 5,373 kilometres, still stands as an incredible feat that has inspired millions around the world.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/09/19/pei-bridge-terry-fox-run.html

Confederation Bridge Terry Fox Run a huge success

10,000 cross P.E.I.-New Brunswick link

Thousands of participants showed up Sunday to take part in the  Terry Fox Run across the Confederation Bridge.Thousands of participants showed up Sunday to take part in the Terry Fox Run across the Confederation Bridge. (Tracy Lightfoot/CBC)

Thousands of people crossed the Confederation Bridge between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick Sunday morning in honour of the 30th annual Terry Fox Run.

So many people wanted to take part in the run to raise money for cancer research, they created a nearly four-kilometre traffic tie-up on the P.E.I. side as they tried to get to the bridge at Borden-Carleton to begin the run. Some waited more than 30 minutes in traffic.

The traffic was nearly as bad on the New Brunswick side. As a result, the race started 40 minutes late, just before 8 a.m.

In the end, about 10,000 people took part in the run — 3,000 more than were expected. Organizers said the extra runners hadn't pre-registered, but they were happy to see them.

"We don't turn anyone away and it's amazing that people did come out in the thousands for the Terry Fox Run," said Laurel Lee, who helped organize the run.

"We accommodated them onsite, but it did take us a little bit of additional time to move them through."

Mathew Allain, of Halifax, was the second person to finish the 13-kilometre run across the Confederation Bridge.

Allain completed the run in 53 minutes. He said he was thinking of his father who died of lung disease two years ago, and his mother who survived bladder cancer.

"The little bit of pain that we go through running is nothing compared to what some of these people have to endure," Allain said.

"That always goes through my mind whenever I'm running, how much pain and suffering these cancer patients have to go through."

The early count on the money raised on the bridge run is more than $200,000. People have until Oct. 15 to turn in their pledge cards, and thousands more is expected to be raised by then.

This was only the third time since the bridge's inauguration 13 years ago that it was opened to pedestrian traffic.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Maritime 50K Fox Run



It was sun and few clouds and 11-15 degrees. The Maritime 50km Fox Run in Tidnish Bridge, Nova Scotia, Eastern New Brunswick and Borden. The Terry Fox Run/Walk was held in Confederation Bridge.

The 50km run begins at 5:00am then run to Highway 16 and last 13km on bridge.

The team raised over $1300 and I raised $275. I ran my first 50km in 5 hours and 22 minutes. Thanks to John and Loretta Van Ekris and all team members for support the Terry Fox Run!

Thank you to people for sponsoring me.



Saturday, September 18, 2010

ADL Golden Mile - A Personal Best 1 Mile


It was sunny and 13 degrees.

The ADL Golden Mile at Queen Charlotte Intermediate High School. The course on North River Road.

Steven Baglole won the race and Vanessa Foster for the top female.

I finished in 5:22, came in 6th out of 65 runners and best time in mile. 9 seconds faster than in 2008.

Tomorrow I will run the Terry Fox 50km run from Tidnish Bridge, NS to Borden, PEI.

More Photos


Betty Fox in P.E.I. to mark 30th Terry Fox Run

Betty Fox in P.E.I. to mark 30th Terry Fox Run

Published on September 18th, 2010Betty Fox, the mother of the late Terry Fox, gives an autograph to  Elliott River Elementary School student Jessica Harvey shortly before  the grand opening ceremony Friday of the Terry Fox Sports Complex in  Cornwall.
Guardian photo by Jim Day

Betty Fox, the mother of the late Terry Fox, gives an autograph to Elliott River Elementary School student Jessica Harvey shortly before the grand opening ceremony Friday of the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall.

Betty Fox sees a day when there will be no more Terry Fox Runs.

The iconic mother of Terry Fox says that will be a day when cancer is beaten.

Fox was in Prince Edward Island on Friday to promote the 30th annual Terry Fox Run, which will be marked by a run on the Confederation Bridge on Sunday.

“We’re turning a corner very slowly, as far as cancer research is concerned,” Fox said in a one-on-one interview with The Guardian on Friday.

“We’re not going to find a cure for cancer. I’ve been told that by researchers. We will find causes for many of the various types of cancer and I believe that when that happens we won’t need a run anymore.”

The Terry Fox Run is named in honour of Canadian amputee runner Terry Fox who, at the age of 21, attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

Warren Ellis of O’Leary said it’s important to have Rolly and Betty Fox in the province on the eve of this year’s Terry Fox Run.

Ellis and his family raised about $340,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation over the last 30 years. The Fox family personally recognized Ellis and his family for their effort.

“When Terry Fox reached Toronto I was watching TV ... he was running down Yonge Street and the nation had just galvanized behind him,” said Ellis, who will be running this year on the Confederation Bridge.

“As he came down Yonge Street that night, tears came to my eyes. It was such a thing to see him. Every year thereafter we got involved and started raising money for him.”

Those who want to take part in the Terry Fox Run on the Confederation Bridge on Sunday can still register. They can go to terryfox.org to register.

Pre-registration is mandatory and free.

More than 14,000 took part in the last Terry Fox Run on the Confederation Bridge in 2005, during the 25th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run. That run raised $375,000 in Terry’s name for cancer research.

The Foxs will not take part in the bridge run. They will be in Barrington, N.S., on Sunday.

That community won a national contest to have the Foxes participate in the run.

Terry’s brother, Fred, will be at the Confederation Bridge on Sunday.

Betty Fox said it took time for her to be able to share her son with the rest of the country.

Now, Fox needs to share Terry with the rest of the world.

There are Terry Fox runs in nearly 30 countries around the world and growing every year.

“In the very early years it was very hard for me because he’s my son - he’s not yours although people felt that way,” said Fox.

“It took a lot to change my attitude. Terry and I were very close. It was hard to share him with others.

“Today, I am so proud that he means so much to other people all over the world.”

Island athletes named to Commonwealth Games team


http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Sports/Track-%26amp%3B-field/2010-09-17/article-1772040/Island-athletes-named-to-Commonwealth-Games-team/1

Island athletes named to Commonwealth Games team
Jared Connaughton

Jared Connaughton

Published on September 17th, 2010

Prince Edward Island is sending Canada’s fastest 200-metre sprinter and a co-captain of the women’s national field hockey team to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, Oct. 3 to 14.

Island athletes named to the team include New Haven sprinter Jared Connaughton and field hockey veteran Katie Baker of Argyle Shore.

Connaughton, 25, is the 2010 national champion in the 200 metres. At the 2009 world championships, he placed fifth in the 4x100-metre relay.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Connaughton made the semis in the 200 metres and finished sixth in the 4x100 metre relay. He also won a silver medal at the 2007 Pan Am Games in the 4x100m relay.

Baker, 26, is a midfielder and co-captain of the women’s national field hockey team.

She has been a member of the senior national team since 2006 and was on the junior national team from 2004 to 2005.

Baker has played for the Royal Antwerp hockey club in Belgium as well as Meralomas in Vancouver. She was honoured with a nomination to the 2009 Pan American Elite Team.

“I’ve had the opportunity to see Katie on the field and Jared on the track and they have both worked exceptionally hard to be able to represent Canada and P.E.I.,” said Team Canada Chef de Mission, Martha Deacon.

“Jared worked toward a best-ever performance at the 2010 Canadian track and field championships in Toronto, and for Katie to be a veteran of the field hockey program and to go play in India, where the sport is so big, is exceptional.

“They’re tremendous role models for the youth of P.E.I.”

Canada is sending a team of 400 athletes, coaches and support staff to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and has a goal of finishing top three in the medal count.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Thousands of runners set to converge on Confederation Bridge



Thousands of runners set to converge on Confederation Bridge

This photo from The Guardian Archives shows walkers who took part  in the first Terry Fox run on the Confederation Bridge in 2005.
Guardian file photo

This photo from The Guardian Archives shows walkers who took part in the first Terry Fox run on the Confederation Bridge in 2005.

Published on September 17th, 2010
Ryan Ross

Travel Alert... The Confederation Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic Sunday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

When thousands of people head to the Confederation Bridge for the Terry Fox Run on Sunday, organizers say they will be ready.

This year marks the 30th anniversary for the fundraiser and will give runners a chance to cross the bridge that’s normally closed to pedestrians.

Laurel Lea, Confederation Bridge marketing and community affairs co-ordinator, said the organizers expect to see a similar number of people running when the run was on the bridge in 2005.

“Somewhere in the range of 14,000," she said.

The Confederation Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic Sunday from 6 a.m. tp 1 p.m. and the run itself will take place from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., she said.

“It gives us a one-hour buffer to set up and tear down what is going to be on the bridge.”

Besides thousands of runners, there will be water stations, first aid stations, garbage cans and bathrooms set up at intervals in one lane along the bridge, which will allow emergency vehicles to cross if necessary.

But even before the runners get there, the RCMP will be at work on both sides of the bridge to check run registration documents and direct traffic to the parking areas.

On the P.E.I. side, RCMP officers will man a check stop at the lights on Dickie Road and the Trans-Canada Highway in Borden-Carleton to direct drivers into the parking areas at Gateway Village while Mounties on the New Brunswick side will direct cars to the parking area in Cape Tormentine, Lea said.

Lea said from there, shuttles will take anyone who plans to run the length of the bridge to the opposite side so they can end on the same side as they parked.

“It just alleviates the traffic tie-up at the end.”

On the New Brunswick side, drivers will park in a big field that has been staked off and drivers on the Island side will park in the Gateway Village green space instead of the paved areas, she said.

“The expectation is there will be ample parking.”

There is no charge for parking or the shuttles.

As for safety during the run, Lea said there will be two ambulances at the ready, ski patrol will set up first aid stations every 1.5 kilometres and the Borden-Carleton fire department will have 10 first responders waiting at the end of the bridge.

“We’re covered in first aid.”

To prepare drivers for the pending bridge closure, electronic signs are going up on the roads leading to both ends of the bridge so they will know they can’t get across the bridge before they get to it, she said.

“Instead of going all the way to the bridge, they may delay their trip a little.”

Lea said she didn’t expect to see many people waiting for the bridge to reopen because there were only 17 cars in line to cross when the Terry Fox Run was on the bridge in 2005.

“It wasn’t a very big issue at all.”

Registration for the run is open until 11:59 p.m. Friday at www.terryfox.org and all runners will need to have their official confirmation documents.

rross@theguardian.pe.ca

The Great Canadian Soap Company

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Tri-province Terry Fox Run planned


http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2010-09-13/article-1745916/Tri-province-Terry-Fox-Run-planned/1

Tri-province Terry Fox Run planned

Published on September 13th, 2010
Amber Nicholson
Borden-Carleton - Fourteen committed Islanders have created a unique and challenging run to show their honour and dedication to Terry Fox.

On September 19, the day of the Terry Fox Confederation Bridge run, participants will attempt a 50-kilometre run across all three of the Maritime Provinces.

Ultra-marathoner John Van Ekris of Charlottetown has organized the event.

"New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have a 10 k run that they call the Cross Border Challenge...My wife and I were going camping where they have the run and we realized that we could do a run that encompasses all three provinces," said Van Ekris.

Van Ekris said the run is not a race; it is about honouring the efforts of Terry Fox.

"Doing this during the Terry Fox run allows us to really draw on the memory of Terry and what he accomplished," he said. "Our run might seem like a lot to people but when you think that our distance before we even reach the bridge is what Terry was doing day after day, it puts it into perspective.

Ken Taylor of Kensington is one of the runners taking on the 50-km challenge. He, too, sees it as an opportunity to honour Fox.

"John came up with the idea to honour Terry Fox who basically ran a marathon distance every day on one good leg," said Taylor. "If we able-bodied runners can do a special run on his day to honour him then so be it."

Nancy Morris of Charlottetown has never run further than the standard 42-km marathon. She has decided to face the challenge as a personal dedication to Fox.

"He's just such an inspiring person," Morris said. "I was 13 when he did his Marathon for Hope and I've just kind of followed it ever since."

Morris said she is slightly nervous about the distance but that she will use Fox as inspiration.

"It will be the farthest I've ever ran but we're runners so we always look to find new challenges," she said. "I feel confident that I can do it."

Van Ekris said he is thrilled people are interested in the exclusive experience.

"It's the only time you can run across three provinces in 50 kilometres," he said.

The run will leave from Tidnish in Nova Scotia at 5 a.m., runners will travel through New Brunswick and finish by crossing the Confederation Bridge.

Van Ekris said most runners should make it to the N.B. side of the bridge between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

The group will host a tailgate party following the run, around 11 a.m., in the parking lot on the P.E.I. side of the Confederation Bridge. Everyone is welcome to stop by to celebrate and show support.

The team has set a fundraising goal of $1000. Visit terryfox.org and search Maritime 50K Fox Run to make a donation.


Maritime 50K Fox Run


Sunday, September 12, 2010

Facebook - Why jypsy won't be your friend (but Alex might)

To: Jypsy Norman-Bain
From: Facebook
Subject: 140 friends awaiting your response

facebook
Hi Jypsy,
You haven't been back to Facebook recently. You have received notifications while you were gone.

[]140 friend requests

I don't use Facebook.

I've had an account since March 2007 (back when you needed an account to get past the login page and see *anything* on Facebook). I've had a webpage since 1996, I run or co-run a few mail lists, and have a hand in a few blogs (public & private) but I'm just not social enough to want to partake in the "new social media" (I've also had a Twitter account for a few years too but don't tweet).


I do have access to Alex's Facebook account and peek at it regularly enough to see what many relatives and folks I know are up to.

I used to contact people when they wanted to "friend" me to let them know that "I have an account, but no "friends", and I like it that way. However, if I ever changed my mind, their request was on file and I would accept it. Nothing personal, it's just how it is." I quit doing that a couple of years ago. Sometimes I remember to tell people when I see them, often I don't.

This post is that notice to you all -
the 140 and those who will be sending me requests -
Nothing personal, it's just how it is.


A couple of those 140 I don't actually know and another small handful I wouldn't "accept" but most are people I know online and/or in real life and would/will accept their offer if ever I decided to actively use my Facebook account.

Many are already Alex's "friends" so I'm already following you as much as if you were my "friend". Some of you may want to send a friend request to Alex (http://www.facebook.com/therunman) and if he knows you he'll accept. Others may even want to "unfriend" Alex knowing now that I have access to his account.


Happy Facebooking..... Tweet on...

-jypsy