This weekend's Race & Run - The AVC Rabies Run & The Run for the Cure

AVC Rabies 5K Fun Run
Saturday October 3, 2009
5K

Starting Time: 10:00 a.m.
Registration: 9:00 a.m. at the Brackley Beach complex
Fee: $10.00
Fundraiser: In support of Vets without Borders annual Rabies Campaign to increase awareness about the global rabies issue and to raise funds for their international rabies prevention programs.
Contact: KristinJoudrey, AVC Class 2011 kejoudrey@upei.ca
Course Description: Out and back course on Gulf Shore Parkway in the National Park.
Special Instruction or Notice: Run, jog, walk...whatever is comfortable, and please invite your friends (both with and without fur)! Come and show your support for this worthy cause! Dogs are invited and encouraged to attend and run, (on a leash please).

AVC Run 2007 ~ AVC Run 2006

Photos from the 2006-2007 AVC Run

~*~


Run for the Cure
Sunday, October 4, 2009
5K

Confederation Landing Park, Charlottetown

10:00am Final Registration/Donation Drop-off
1:45pm Opening Ceremonies
1:55pm Warm-up
2:00pm Start of Run

***Please Support Alex's Fundraising***

Alex's Progress (September 29/09):

Fundraising Goal: $150.00

Amount Raised: $150.00

>>> Please click here to donate <<<


2008 Run For The Cure ~ 2007 Run For The Cure ~ 2006 Run For The Cure
2005 Run For The Cure ~ 2004 Run For The Cure

Photos from the Run for the Cure 2004-2008

Another 36K Long Run

Another 36K Marathon training long run.
Charlottetown to Bedford on Route 2.
Bedford to Charlottetown on the Confederation Trail

More Photos

Islanders on the Run - This Weekend in Toronto and Saint John

Results

1241(Place) - GEORGE MUTCH - 54:50:00(10K) - 1:55:01(21.1K) - 2:45:05(30K) - 3:13:50(35K) - 3:44:26(40K) - 4:08:40(Gun) - 3:58:01(Chip) - 946(Gender Place) - 155 (Category Place)

Half-Marathon
6830(Place) - DOROTHY GABBEY - 2:37:04.7(Chip) - 24/58(Category Place) 3662/4532(Gender Place)

Full Marathon

9(Place) - Ken Taylor - 4/12(Category Place) - 3:27:20(Gun) - 3:27:17*(Chip)
24(Place) - Bev Walsh - 2/6(Category Place) - 3:50:32(Gun) - 3:50:27(Chip)
27(Place) - Elaine Burkholder - 1/2(Category Place) - 3:58:10(Gun) - 3:58:06*(Chip)
32(Place) - Dianne Pye - 2/2(Category Place) - 4:07:23(Gun) - 4:07:19(Chip)
34(Place) - Maureen Leard - 3/6(Category Place) - 4:08:37(Gun) - 4:08:32(Chip)
42(Place) - Cathy Vaniderstine - 5/6(Category Place) - 4:43:54(Gun) - 4:43:48(Chip)

Half Marathon

3(Place) - Chris Matters - 1/43(Category Place) - 1:24:49(Gun) - 1:24:48(Chip)
129(Place) - Carson Gill - 29/43(Category Place) - 1:58:56(Gun) - 1:58:11(Chip)
130(Place) - Kim Gill - 11/33(Category Place) - 1:58:56(Gun) - 1:58:12(Chip)
203(Place) - Kelly MacWilliams - 31/59(Category Place) - 2:11:19(Gun) - 2:10:47(Chip)

Congrats All !

Marathon for family - Dickson fundraising for Team Diabetes

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=289412&sc=118

Marathon for family
Dickson fundraising for Team Diabetes

	Catherine Dickson displays pictures of her sister, Clara, and her mother, Marguerite, both of whom died from complications of diabetes – Clara in January of 2008 and Marguerite in June of 2009. Dickson will be taking part in a Team Diabetes marathon in Greece in November. Mike Carson/Journal Pioneer

MIKE CARSON
The Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE – The love of a family goes far beyond mere mortality and those of us lucky enough to have it have a powerful tool to make a difference.
Such is the case with Catherine Dickson.
In January 2008, Dickson lost her sister Clara to complications from diabetes. Clara was, and still is, a major influence in her life.
“The greatest gift she ever gave me, growing up she would always say ‘Never begrudge anyone anything,’ because there’s lots to go around for everyone and if somebody has something then they deserve it,” she said. “That was a real life lesson.”
Dickson decided she wanted to do something in her sister’s memory and help find a cure for the disease that claimed her older sister. She became involved with Team Diabetes of the Canadian Diabetes Association, and is preparing to take part in a marathon in Greece on Nov. 5.
Team Diabetes promotes awareness and wellness through these marathons. People who participate in them are either diabetics themselves or have diabetes in their families.
They tap into marathons that are already established and Team Diabetes sends people to them.
“She’s still largely a part of my life,” Dickson said of her sister.
“And it (marathon) was nice for my mom and I. It was something she took a big interest in my doing. She made it her mission too. She was really happy that I was doing it in Clara’s memory.”
But in June of this year, while her mother was promoting her daughter’s marathon dream, the unthinkable happened.
“She was going to go in for surgery to prepare for dialysis,” Dickson said. “She got ill. She went into kidney failure and passed away.”
“The shock of losing my mom in July, I felt like an orphan and that totally took me by surprise because I’m a grown woman,” she said. “I have two daughters in university. And I thought, why do I feel this way?
“The three people in my life who gave me unconditional love, my father (who was also diabetic and died from cancer), my sister, Clara, my mother.
“Even if they didn’t understand what I was doing they struggled with ‘Well it must be important to you’,” she said. “Now they’re gone. I have lots of people in my life that love me but people who love you like that – you don’t have to be a certain way – they just love you, hard core, no matter what.
“It brings them closer into my circle doing this with them in my mind.”
Dickson said with diabetes in the family she has a stake in her own health and in her children’s health.
“I would love for a cure to be found,” she said. It’s amazing how many people have come up and told me, ‘We have diabetes in our family; I appreciated what you’re doing.’
“My sister’s gone and she’s still making a difference in people’s lives.”

Team Diabetes Athens Classic Marathon Website

PEI Marathon News

All participants registered by October 1st, 2009
will have their first name on their race bib!!

Online registration will be available until midnight on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009. On site registration will be available at Marathon Headquarters (Confederation Centre of the Arts) on October 16th & 17th. Please remember that you must pick up your registration kit and timing chip at Marathon Headquarters during the following dates/times:

• Friday, October 16th 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Saturday, October 17th 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

* Please note there will be no race kit pick up or registration available on Sunday, October 18th!
Register today!

PACE BUNNIES

We are very excited to announce that we have pace bunnies available in the following categories: MRSB Marathon, Friendly Pharmacy Half Marathon and the Confederation Bridge 10K. Pace bunnies have a set time that they will complete their race in and can help you meet your goal and provide encouragement along the way. To meet your 2009 pacers please click here! Sign up sheets will be available during registration at Marathon Headquarters (Confederation Centre of the Arts).

Exciting News and new date for the Ben's Smart 5K Run & Walk

The Ben's Smart 5K Run & Walk has been moved to-Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 3 pm. This event will start and finish at the UPEI Canada Games Alumni Place Track. The updated map will be available on our website on Tuesday, September 29th, 2009. We are very excited to announce that Canadian Olympic Sprinter Jared Connaughton will be present and play a major role in the Ben's Smart 5K. Jared is a double Gold Medalist in the 2005 Canada Summer Games and is the fastest male sprinter in Canada. In additional, Adrienne Power from Halifax NS, the fastest female in Canada will also be there. Jared and Ben's Smart will be presenting awards immediately following the 5K Run & Walk at the UPEI Canada Games Alumni Place Track.

www.princeedwardislandmarathon.com

Seconds - 2nd place finish, 2nd best 5K run

It was sunny and 10 degrees.

UPEI Homecoming Race at UPEI.

The 5km course has changed from last year. Out and back on ring road, trail and finish on the track.

Steve Baglole won the race and Loretta Van Ekris for the top female.

I finished in 19:12 and came in second place out of 51 runners, 2:07 behind 1st place runner and 5 seconds off my PB time of 19:07 at Deltaware last year.

Tomorrow I run another 36km long run then tapper to the PEI marathon in 3 weeks.

Official Result: 2nd out of 51
5K in 19 minutes, 12 seconds

Full Results ~*~ More Photos

UPEI Homecoming Run 2008
UPEI Homecoming Run 2007

Running For Autism

Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness

Autism the boy is Alex Bain - Autism Speaks is just so Wrong

Autism the boy is Alex Bain
Autism is happy and sad
I like Autism
Autism makes me different
from my friends
That's OK
-Alex Bain, March 2000

We strive to promote Acceptance, Inclusion and
*Positive* Autism Awareness

Some others have a very different idea about what "Autism Awareness" is.

Part of Autism Speaks Mission is
"raising public awareness about autism
and its effects on individuals, families, and society"

Their latest bit of "public awareness" is
beyond offensive.

It is dehumanizing
hateful
stigmatizing
ableist
fear-mongering
shameful
propaganda.

"The new video is so extremely anti-scientific and unethical
that in my view there is a responsibility on all and any scientists in Autism Speaks' leadership, including anywhere
on their boards, panels, committees, etc., to take a stand."

-- M. Dawson

Watch the video: "I am Autism"
Read a transcript of what is said in the video
Read a collection of the responses from the autistic & autism communities
Read another collection of responses from the autistic and autism communities
Join the Facebook Group "Protesting Autism Speaks "I am Autism" Video
Tweet using #autismspeaksfail to show your displeasure

Read Disability groups join to continue protest of Autism Speaks campaign
Read The NAS and Autism Speaks UK respond to "I am Autism"Read the Press Release from (ASAN) condemning Autism Speaks and their video.
Read The joint letter, which carries support from 65 international, national, state, and local organizations from the cross-disability community, condemning Autism Speaks for demonizing autism in their "I Am Autism" video. Related Press Release.
Sign The petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/AutismSpeaks/ to show your support for the joint letter.

Expect This post will be updated over time.....

"It is a grotesque travesty of a film,
filled with falsehoods, bigotry and hate.
It does not represent our views on autism and autistic people.
It vilifies autistic people, and we will not stand for it.
Autism Speaks does not speak for us."

Marathon to attract runners from across region

(Click image to enlarge & read)

www.princeedwardislandmarathon.com/

This Saturday's Race - The UPEI Homecoming Weekend 5K Fun Run

UPEI Homecoming Weekend 5K Fun Run
Saturday September 26, 2009
5K

Starting Time: 9:00 a.m.
Registration: 8:00 a.m. at the Club House between the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place (Track) and the Soccer Field
Fee: $10.00
Fundraiser: Proceeds will go to support the UPEI Student Union & UPEI Alumni Association Leadership Bursaries.
Special Instruction or Notice: Be sure to stick around for some of the many UPEI Homecoming events taking place on campus - visit www.upei.ca/homecoming for details!
This race is a great value. Participants will recieve:
-T-shirt (to the first 100)
-One ticket to a Panther Sport home game of choice
-Finish line Nutrition
-Chance to win some great draw prizes
-Finish prizes from Source for Sports for the top 3 Males and Females
Course Description: We've changed the course this year to offer new START and FINISH lines! The start line will be at the Club House, located between the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place (the track) and the soccer field. The course is an out and back which proceeds around the campus, out Belvedere Avenue and North on Confederation Trail. Once you return back to the Club House, runners proceed down to the track and finish their race with 2 laps around the track! Please be aware that this involves running (or walking) down a set of stairs to get to the track.
Contact: Ellen Sherren esherren@upei.ca

UPEI Homecoming Run 2008 ~ UPEI Homecoming Run 2007

Photos from the UPEI Homecoming Run (2007-2008)

P.E.I. Marathon - Cross-training, rest crucial in preparation for race

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=288661&sc=99

P.E.I. Marathon -
Cross-training, rest crucial in preparation for race

CHERYL PAYNTER
Special to The Guardian

Yes, I got through the dreaded and much anticipated long run last weekend.
Thank goodness for the great company of Pam and Diane. We talked, we were silent and they didn’t mind when I had to go within and put the headphones on to get the job done.
In the closing kilometres as I was fading off they were great encouragers and told me I was doing great and looking good. I knew they were lying, but I love them for it!
We even met and ran with a couple of great guys who were training on the trail section of the marathon. Two more friendly faces to see on race day. All the best Dave and Michael.
So with that monster week of training behind us, we get to take it easy this week on a recovery week.
Our mileage decreases significantly to allow us to recover and get stronger for the next big training runs.
No hard mile repeats this week, no extra long runs. A couple of good quality runs will be this week’s race specific training objectives.
It is easy as it gets close to race day to try to “cram” extra miles and speedwork in. The body doesn’t respond well to this, well mine doesn’t anyway.
Your risk for injury increases when you increase your mileage and/or speed too much at once. Gradual increases in these areas mixed with a good recovery week every month or so will see the best gains, I find.
So, what to do with yourself on a down week? I actually quite enjoy the break from the extra miles and focus my energies on cross training along with banking some extra sleep hours.
Distance runners are notoriously known for not being very flexible and being weak in the upper body, core, glute and hamstring areas.
Cross-training can allow you to work on these weaknesses and round out your weaknesses to become a stronger runner. Core strengthening will allow you to hold yourself better in the later stages of the race.
Flexibility and stretching are key in keeping injury free and loose. Personally, I hate stretching and I think it is fair to say many runners do as well.
We can log a three- or four-hour training run, but feel the need to cheat a 30-minute stretching session for some reason.
Not sure why that is, but I force myself to get it done. I bought a set of deep reaching rollers and have them stored smack dab in front of my living room TV on the carpet. It doesn’t seem bad when you can pass the time stretching while watching ‘House’!
So, as much as I dreaded the long run of last weekend, I will enjoy our well earned down week in miles and intensity.
I will enjoy the extra couple hours of sleep on Sunday morning knowing I am getting stronger and have earned the rest.

Cheryl Paynter is the co-chair of the BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon weekend Oct. 16-18 and will be writing a weekly article leading up to race weekend. For further information, visit www.princeedwardislandmarathon.com.

Running for the "Soldier on" programme.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=287965&sc=110

Running for the "Soldier on" programme.

MILITARY BLOG SITE - WITH ROBBY MCROBB
The Guardian

M/Cpl Jody Mittic and other comrades ran in the second annual "Canada Army Run" in Ottawa yesterday. Bravo Zulu guys and gals and to all runners. Our MND also took part in the 5 K Run.

Injured soldiers run half marathon in Ottawa

A soldier who lost his legs during combat in Afghanistan completed the Army Run's half marathon on Sunday using carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, part of his efforts to get redeployed.

Master Cpl. Jody Mitic, who lost both legs below the knee when he stepped on a landmine during a routine patrol in January 2007, finished the 21-kilometre run in three hours 22 minutes 46 seconds. Thirty-one other injured soldiers participated in the half marathon and five-kilometre events, which attracted 11,000 participants in downtown Ottawa.

Mitic, who wants to return to Afghanistan as a helicopter gunner, said he is breaking new ground for amputee soldiers. But to qualify for the combat mission, he must pass two fitness tests by the military.

Mitic's prosthetic legs still cause him pain and blistering. During his run, he stopped every few kilometres to readjust them.

Single-leg amputee Rick Ball, who has a high-tech prosthetic leg, set a world record for one-legged runners, finishing the half marathon in 1:20.45. Some completed the course in wheelchairs.

Spectator Dayle Mulligan, 46, was particularly moved by soldiers who continue to run despite suffering life-changing disabilities.

"When you see the injured soldiers, it's pretty heart-wrenching," Mulligan said.

Mark Fuchko, also a double amputee, walked the race last year but was planning to run it this time.

"Seeing where I was last year, and now this year -- it's just like night and day. It's a drastic improvement," he told CTV Ottawa before the race. Fuchko also lost his legs in Afghanistan, when the vehicle he was riding in drove over an IED.

About 11,000 military personnel and civilians participated in the two-year-old event, four thousand more than last year. Some walked or ran. Others raced in wheelchairs.

Organizers say it has become the fastest growing long-distance run in the country.

Lieut. Charles Nadeau of Quebec won the men's half-marathon, finishing with a time of 1:11:46. Danielle Riendeau of Ottawa won the women's event in 1:20:23.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, who took part in the five-kilometre segment of the run, welcomed the runners as they crossed the finish line.

Peter MacKay the hardest working MND canada has ever had since WW2 Well done.

So as the men and women of the soldier on Programme fight a different battle daily Congratulations and best wishes in your recoveries.

Nil Sine Labore

Robby

AIDS Walk & Run for Life - A Gold Medal Day

AIDS Walk for Life

AIDS Run For Life

It was sunny and 16 degrees.

The AIDS Walk For Life and Run at Confederation Centre.
The figure 8 course on Parkdale, Old Charlottetown, Victoria Park and Confederation Trail.

Brad Wonnacott who has autistic son mostly behind me entire run. At Holland College Brad pass me and at Victoria Park I pass him. Within 2 blocks from Province House I sprinting to finish and I won the race by mere seconds.

I finished in 43:30 and came in 1st out of 9 runners.

The first place prize a medal, two tickets to Disco Cirque friday night, gift certificetes for Subway, Papa Joe's, Road ID and Cora's.

The AIDS Walk For Life raised over $12,000, Danya O'Malley was the individual that raised the most money and KOA Campground are the team that raise the most money.
More Photos

Official Result: 1st out of 9 runners
10K in 43 minutes, 30 seconds

AIDS Walk for Life 2007

PEI Walk For Life Website

AIDS PEI Website

Running For Autism

Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness

P.E.I. Marathon - Training takes dedication, commitment

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=287678&sc=99

P.E.I. Marathon - Training takes dedication, commitment

CHERYL PAYNTER
Special to The Guardian

The smell of fall is in the air and that means that the BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon weekend of Oct. 16-18 is drawing very close.
There is nothing glamorous about these training weeks. It can hurt, plain and simple.
It requires a level of dedication and sacrifice not many are willing to give. Sometimes lacing up your sneakers is the absolute last thing you feel like doing at the end of a hectic day, and let’s face it, it’s not exclusively about us a lot of days.
We all have family, work and other commitments that make it very easy to make excuses why we can’t run.
I have come to dread the long Sunday training runs. As I write this, I am trying to get my head around a 36 km scheduled run this weekend. This will be the longest run for me in over a year.
Will I be able to get it done, how will I feel, will my pace fall off? It always works out OK after you get going, but the dread can be paralyzing. All of this begs the question — why would you ever sign up to do such a thing?
The benefits are many, that’s why. Chances are that you have met a whole new circle of friends that are positive, driven people during the course of your training. I know some of my closest and most trusted friends are those that I have logged many, many miles with.
Great training partners can lift you through workouts you would never complete on your own and you get to return the favour for them on days where they maybe having an off day.
We are in the middle of the high intensity training weeks and it is natural to become tired and a bit disenchanted with the process. Keep race day in mind and visualize it frequently. Picture yourself crossing the finish line for the first time in your life, or keeping up to that pace bunny during the day to ring in your new personal best.
The BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon weekend has a race for absolute everyone starting with a Kid’s Spud run then a 5 km walk or run, a 10 km walk or run, a half marathon walk or run and a full marathon run.
A growing favourite on race weekend is the corporate and team relay. This is a tonne of fun to get eight people together and conquer the marathon distance as a team in a fun and competitive way.
My advice is to keep up your good work in training; it will all pay off on race day. Have fun and enjoy the journey of your healthy lifestyle.

Cheryl Paynter and Jonathon Ross are co-chairs of the BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon weekend Oct. 16-18 and will be writing a weekly article leading up to race weekend. For further information, visit www.princeedwardislandmarathon.com.

Personal Best 10 Mile - The Miscouche Firefighters 10 Miler

It was cloud and windy and 9 degrees.

Miscouche Firefighters 10 mile run in Miscouche.

The out and back course from the firehouse and out on Belmont.

Stanley Chaisson won the race and set a course record at 56:22 and Jen Nicholson also beat the course record for the top female in 1:02:25.

I finished in 1:09:20 and beat personal best from last year by 2:35 and came in 15th out of 56 runners.

Tomorrow I run the AIDS Run For Life at Confederation Centre.

Official Result: 15th out of 56
10 Miles in 1 hour, 9 minutes, 20 seconds

More Photos (There were a bunch of photos missing from this set that are now there.... sorry!)

Full Results

Miscouche Firefighters 10 Miler 2008
Miscouche Firefighters 10 Miler 2007
Miscouche Firefighters 10 Miler 2006
Miscouche Firefighters 10 Miler 2005
Miscouche Firefighters 10 Miler 2004

Scott bought me a poster and sticker from Ironman Lake Placid. Thank You Scott!

Running For Autism

Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness


http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=287731&sc=118
New records at Miscouche run

MISCOUCHE

JASON SIMMONDS
The Journal Pioneer

MISCOUCHE -- Two new records were set at the Miscouche Firefighters 10-Mile Run here Saturday morning.

Twenty-seven-year-old Bear River native Stanley Chaisson, who now resides in Charlottetown, was the overall winner in 56 minutes 22 seconds (56:22). Jen Nicholson, 40, of Cornwall knocked almost 10 minutes off the previous-best female time. She stopped the clock in 1:02:25.

The previous course records were set by Paul Thibideau (57:40) in 2003 and Elaine Burkholder (1:12:16) in 2006.

See complete story in Monday’s Journal Pioneer.

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=287864&sc=119

Record-setting day at Miscouche Firefighters 10-Mile Run

	Stanley Chaisson and Jen Nicholson both set new course records for the Miscouche Firefighters 10-Mile Run. Nicholson had a time of one hour two minutes 25 seconds (1:02:25) in the Saturday morning run; Chaisson's time was 56 minutes 22 seconds (56:22). Jason Simmonds/Journal Pioneer

JASON SIMMONDS
The Journal Pioneer

MISCOUCHE -- It was a record-setting day at the Miscouche Firefighters 10-Mile Run on Saturday morning.
Bear River native Stanley Chaisson, who now resides in Charlottetown, and Jen Nicholson of Cornwall established new course records. Chaisson's time was 56 minutes 22 seconds (56:22), breaking Paul Thibideau's 57:40 standard set in 2003.
"I was pleased with my time and it was the first time I've done the course," said Chaisson. "I felt good."
Meanwhile, Nicholson, 40, knocked almost 10 minutes off the female record en route to finishing sixth overall. Her time of 1:02:25 shattered the previous mark of 1:12:16, which was set by Elaine Burkholder in 2006.
"We (Nicholson family) have a lot going on today (Saturday) and I woke up this morning and kind of decided at the last minute that I'd run it," said Nicholson. "I wasn't really planning on it, which was good because I didn't get too worked up or too nervous about it."
Nicholson said the wind didn't bother her too bad and the temperature was perfect for running.
"Someone said the wind is always a factor and they were calling for wind today," she said. "There were certain places it was a little gusty, but certainly not the whole race and I didn't feel it slowed me down or anything."
Personal bests
Overall, 15 personal records were achieved and awards were presented to the male and female runners with the most improved times.
John VanErkis, with an improvement of 11:57, took the male award and Lisa Doiron, who improved her time by 13:27, took the female honour. VanErkis finished 18th overall in 1:10:23 and Doiron was 30th in 1:18:48.
The 56-runner field didn't waste any time getting away.
"Mike MacKinnon led the way for the few K (kilometres) and it was a really fast start," said Chaisson. "It's a very deceiving course.
"It looks flat, but once you get out there it's rolling hills and the wind was tough today. It made it even more challenging."
The race started and finished at the fire department in Miscouche and featured an out-and-back course on Lady Slipper Drive and Belmont Road.
"It was a fun run," said Nicholson. "It wasn't too hilly and was kind of rolling, which is what I like."
With the Prince Edward Island Marathon on Oct. 18, this run served as a tune-up.
"What my training partner (Rob MacKenzie) and I did today was we built this race into our long run," explained Chaisson. "We did a few kilometres beforehand and now we're going to do a few kilometres after.
"It's perfect because it's a month away from the marathon and this race is a great way to gauge where you're at."

jpsports@journalpioneer.com

UPEI student who defied odds will carry Olympic torch in Charlottetown

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=287645&sc=98

UPEI student who defied odds will carry Olympic torch in Charlottetown

WAYNE THIBODEAU
The Guardian

Emma MacEachern, a second-year UPEI student, is welcomed as Vancouver 2010 community torchbearer for Charlottetown by the City of Charlottetown’s Wayne Long during a ceremony in Charlottetown Friday. On Nov. 21, the Olympic flame will be in P.E.I. and a huge community celebration is planned for that night on the Charlottetown waterfront where MacEachern will carry the Olympic flame into that celebration. Guardian photo by Heather Taweel

A 19-year-old girl whose dream of pursuing a hockey career came to a halt after doctors discovered a tumour in her spinal cord has been named Vancouver 2010 Olympic community torchbearer for Charlottetown.
Emma MacEachern’s story of determination and passion has inspired many Canadians, from NHL hockey great Wayne Gretzky to Hockey Canada’s national women’s hockey team to the selection committee who hand-picked the second-year UPEI student to carry the torch in Charlottetown.
MacEachern says she’s honoured to be chosen to carry the Olympic torch.
“I’ll be nervous but really excited,” MacEachern said. “I don’t really know how it’s going to feel, I’ll have to wait and see.”
As a promising hockey player and well-rounded athlete, MacEachern dreamed of playing professional hockey.
But at age 16, doctors discovered a three-inch tumour in her spinal cord. She underwent surgery to remove the tumour, however, doctors said she may never walk again let alone play hockey.
It was MacEachern’s passion for hockey and determination to defy the odds that provided the inspiration she needed to get through nearly a year of grueling rehab in Toronto.
On Nov. 21, MacEachern will lead the Olympic torch on its tour along Victoria Row, down Great George Street to the Charlottetown waterfront where she will light the 1.3-metre celebration cauldron in front of an expected crowd of nearly 5,000 people. The celebration is a move similar to the dramatic highlight that will occur during opening ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
More details about the Olympic torch relay across P.E.I. and Nov. 21 community celebrations will be released within weeks.
“We’re pleased to announce Emma as Charlottetown’s torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” said the City of Charlottetown’s Wayne Long, during an announcement at City Hall on Friday.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Emma, who is one of 12,000 Canadians chosen to carry the Olympic flame on the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history.”
Paul Crabbe of Crapaud agrees it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He carried the Olympic torch relay in Borden prior to the Winter Olympics in Calgary in 1988.
“You get goose bumps,” Crabbe said. “And I was just running along the highway. Emma will be running into a celebration with 4,000-5,000 people. It will be amazing. It will be something she will never forget.”
While unable to play competitive hockey, MacEachern is walking again. She feeds her passion for hockey by assisting both the UPEI and provincial women’s hockey teams and she’s looking at playing recreational hockey in the near future.
The daughter of Frank and Jennifer MacEachern and niece of Olympic gold medalist Dave (Eli) MacEachern, Emma MacEachern continues to give back to the community that provided support and encouragement to her, volunteering with the Children’s Wish Foundation and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Her experience has also inspired her own life path as she is studying science and kinesiology in hopes of becoming a neuro-physiotherapist to help others recover and fulfil their dreams.
MacEachern said she’s healthy now, and her progress has proven even her doctors wrong.
“I hope this will help get my story out there and show people that you can do whatever you want to do.”

Torch Relay:

— The 106-day Olympic Torch Relay will visit more than 1,030 communities and places of interest in every province and territory;
— On Nov. 21 the Olympic flame will be in P.E.I. and a huge community celebration is planning for that night on the Charlottetown waterfront;
— On Feb. 12, 2010, the Olympic flame will make its way to downtown Vancouver to light the Olympic cauldron in a magical and awe-inspiring moment before a television audience of three billion people worldwide, signalling the kick ff to the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
— For more information on the relay, visit: www.vancouver2010.com/torchrelay.